Saskatchewan Highway 3

Highway 3
CanAm Highway (segment)
Route information
Maintained by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Length:	615 km[1] (382 mi)
Major junctions
West end:	Alberta border near Onion Lake continues west as Hwy 45
	Hwy 21 Hwy 26 Hwy 4 Hwy 24 Hwy 12 Hwy 40 Hwy 240 Hwy 55 Hwy 2 Hwy 25 Hwy 20 Hwy 6 Hwy 41 Hwy 35 Hwy 23 Hwy 9
East end:	Manitoba border near Armit continues east as PTH 77
Location
Rural municipalities:	Brittania, Frenchman Butte, Mervin, Parkdale, Medstead, Spiritwood, Canwood, Shellbrook, Buckland, Prince Albert, Birch Hills, Birch Hills Flett's Springs, Star City, Tisdale, Bjorkdale, Porcupine, Hudson Bay[1]
Major cities:	Prince Albert, Melfort, Tisdale
Highway system
Provincial highways in Saskatchewan ← Hwy 2 Hwy 4 →

Highway 3 is a major provincial paved undivided highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.^[2][3] It runs from the Alberta border, continues west as Alberta Highway 45 to the Manitoba border, and then continues east as Highway 77. Highway 3 is about 615 km (382 mi.) long. The CanAm Highway^[4] comprises Saskatchewan Highways 35, 39, 6, 2, as well as 2.^[5] 59.7 miles (96.1 km) of Saskatchewan Highway 3 contribute to the CanAm Highway between Melfort and Prince Albert.^[1]

Major communities that Highway 3 passes through are Prince Albert, Melfort, and Tisdale.

Travel route

Travel continues west as Alberta Highway 45 at the Alberta – Saskatchewan border. The Saskatchewan portion of the route begins in the northwestern area of the aspen parkland ecoregion, 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Lloydminster the border city. Ttrembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) form bluffs (small islands or shelter belts) which are typical in this area.^[6] This area also marks the northern most area of the Missouri Coteau which has produced the Thickwood Hills feature here.^[7] Reverend Lloyd and Isaac Montgomery Barr lead the Barr colonists here to Brittania in the early 1900s.^[8]

Hwy 3 proceeds east just to the south of the North Saskatchewan River. The river crossing is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the Hwy 684 junction. Travel proceeds to the north east from here. Hwy 797 north provides access to Frenchman Butte and the Fort Pitt Provincial Historical Park (19 kilometres (12 mi)) off Hwy 3. There is still evidence of the North-West Rebellion, Battle of Frenchman's Butte when the Cree and Major General T.B. Strange met on May 28, 1885 here.^[9] Paradise Hill, a village of about 500 people, had post office names of LeClair, Diggs and Archie before adopting the moniker Paradise Hill officially for the hamlet in 1928. Oil and gas plants provide the main employment to the area, followed by agriculture and farm machinery dealerships. A red river cart and ox statue are seen at the outskirts of the village commemorating the Carlton Trail which passed through this area en route between Fort Edmonton, and Fort Garry. The Trans Canada Trail is a walking or hiking trail crossing Canada and it makes its way here as well.^[10]

2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) later is the junction with Hwy 21 north, the location of the Frenchman Butte No. 501 RM office. The Bronson provincial forest to the north provides incoming traffic during the fall hunting season. Cattle farming predominates the area, supplemented by grain crops and the oil & gas industry.^[9] Hwy 21 forms a 10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi) concurrency with Hwy 3. Traveling north on Hwy 26 provides access to St. Walburg and Makwa Lake Provincial Park and Steele Narrow Provincial Historic Park.^[1] Hwy 3 turn at the junction with Hwy 26 continuing south east. At the south east end of the 9.7 kilometres (6.0 mi) concurrency of Hwy 3 and Hwy 26 is the village of Spruce Lake and the junction with Hwy 796 west. The ecoregion has changed to boreal transition. Mixed wood boreal forest with jack pine, trembling aspen, white spruce, and tamarack (Larix laricina) furnish the forestry industry.^[11][11]

Turtleford is a town at the junction of Hwy 3 and Hwy 26 and is located along the Turtle River. In 1983, Turtleford became a town with 500 residents, and built the nation's largest turtle. Ernie, a roadside attraction, is 8 feet (2.4 m) high.^[12][13] Hwy 3 arrived in Turtleford from the north west and takes a V turn and leaves to the north east. After traveling 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi), Hwy 3 turns and continues its route east. 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) from Turtleford, Hwy 26 north provides access to Livelong, 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) north of Hwy 3. The Westside Turtle Lake Resort Area, home of the Turtle Lake Monster is 18 kilometres (11 mi) north also along Hwy 26.^[14]

Glaslyn is located south east at the Hwy 4 concurrency. The concurrency is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) along the north east side of the village. The main economy of Glaslyn and area are agriculture, forestry, ecotourism, fishing, hunting and trapping. Glaslyn was a Welsh community which originally settled on the Meadow Lake – Battleford Trail. Turtle Lake, Meadow Lake Provincial Park and Jackfish Provincial Park are all popular destinations near this access point.^[15][16] After Glaslyn the highway continues on its route to the south east. Little Loon Regional Park is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of Hwy 3.^[14] Cater and Belbutte area both unincorporated areas within Medstead rural municipality (RM).^[17] Hwy 696 north provides access in 46 kilometres (29 mi) to Chitek Lake Provincial Recreation Site.

The town of Spiritwood is in an agricultural community based in the north – central parkland area. Grain growing, ranching and tourism increase the traffic here.^[18][19] Mildred is a small unincorporated area which belongs to Spiritwood RM.^[17] The village of Shell Lake, the oasis of the parklands, is accessed 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) northeast of Hwy 3. The physiographic region is within the Saskatchewan plains region, more specifically the Saskatchewan River plain. The features include deep, terraced river valleys, as well as hillocky glacial debris.^[20] The RM of Canwood provides civic governance to Hawkeye, and Ordale, both located just north of Hwy 3.^[17] Shellbrook is located southwest of Shell Brook, at the junction of Hwy 240 and Hwy 3.^[21][22]

Crutwell is a part of Shellbrook No. 493 RM south of the Hwy 55 – Hwy 3 concurrency. This concurrency at 43 kilometres (27 mi) is the longest of the route.^[1] The city of Prince Albert, Gateway to the north, is the third largest in the province and is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Highways 55, 302, 2 and 3 all meet here. Agriculture, forestry, mining, and tourism are the largest employers in this sector. Waskesiu Lake in the Prince Albert National Park is located 88.6 kilometres (55.1 mi) north of the city on Hwy 2. This city is centrally located along the highway demarks the transition area between the shield boreal forest to the north and the prairie agricultural lands in the south benefiting from the best of both vegetative regions.^[14][23][24]

Muskoday First Nation has reserved for itself the 9,686.8 hectare (23,936.6 acres) through which Hwy 3 travels from north west to south east. The South Saskatchewan River divides the reserve almost in half from north to south and also intersects with Hwy 3. Departure from the reserve is due south along Hwy 3. The town of Birch Hills, A Tradition of Pride and Prosperity, is located at the junction of Hwy 25 south west.^[25][26] Travel from Birch Hills continues due east. Brancepeth is north of Hwy 3, a small hamlet of Birch Hills No. 460 RM.^[17] At the junction with Hwy 778, Hwy 3 turns south east. Kinistino, a town of 649, is located at the junction of Hwy 778.^[17][27] The Fort à la Corne Provincial Forest and the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers are both located within the RM of Kinistino. SCAPE – the Study of Cultural Adaptations in the Prairie Ecozone – is studying the Forks of the Saskatchewan River area and Fort-à-la-Corne lands. The "Changing Opportunities & Challenges: Human-Environment Interaction in the Canadian Prairies Ecozone" program is delving into the archeology, ethnohistory, geomatics, geoarcheology, paleobotany, soil science, and oral traditions of the area.^[28][29][30] The village of Beatty, first named Stoney Creek, is located at the junction of Hwy 368.^[31]

The City of Northern Lights, Melfort is home to 5,192. The Agriculture Melfort Research Station is centered here along with many other agriculturally based industries. The Tiger Hills Uplands ecozone provides rich soil to grow a diversity of crops.^[17][32][33] The concurrency of Hwy 3 and Hwy 6 is a 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) long concurrency at the Hwy 41 junction. Hwy 3 continues due east from Melfort.^[1] The town of Star City is north of the Hwy 681 junction. The village of Valparaiso, one of the few Spanish settlements of the province is just north of Hwy 3.^[34] The town of Tisdale, is surrounded by lakes Barrier Lake, Marean Lake, Tobin Lake, and Greenwater Lake Provincial Park. Agriculture and manufacturing are the dominant industries in the area. Besides the major provincial highways 35 and Hwy 3, both the Canadian National Railway (CNR) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) serve this town. Over 11,000 vehicles per day travel the two highways through Tisdale. At the intersection of Hwy 35 and 3 is the world's largest honey bee at 6 feet (1.8 m) high.^[35][36]

Hwy 3 continues due east until the junction with Hwy 23 at the hamlet of Crooked River. The Hwy 23 concurrency is 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) in a north north east direction. At the end of the concurrency Hwy 3 continues due east.^[1] The hamlet of Peesane is located at the beginning of the Hwy 679 concurrency which is 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) in length.^[1] Mistatim a village which is Proud of its Past ..... and Planning for its Future, has an economy based on agricultural mixed farming, hunting trapping and forestry.^[37] Mistatim is located south of the Pasquia Forest Reserve, and north of the Porcupine Forest Reserve.^[38] The EDEN Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) encourages tourism, investment, economic and recreational activities in the area.^[39]

Hwy 3 continues south east from Mistatim for 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) then turns due east for 39.5 kilometres (24.5 mi) when there is a short stretch traveling north east. Prairie River of the Porcupine No. 395 RM lies to the north of this stretch of highway. Hwy 3 traveling east arrives at the junction of Hwy 9 at Hudson Bay. The Hwy 9 concurrency around the north west edge of the town is 1.3 kilometres (0.81 mi) long.^[1] Hudson Bay is Moose Capital of the World due to the high presence of western moose (Alces alces anderson). At this site were a Hudson's Bay Company Upper Red Deer post, North West Company Upper Red Deer post. The Rendek Elm Forest is located north and the Hudson Bay Regional Park is located south of Hwy 3. Forestry is a main concern of the area served by Wizewood – MacMillan Bloedel – Weyerhaeuser for years.^[40][41][42] The highway continues east as Highway 77 after the Manitoba – Saskatchewan border.

Other information

The time zone in Saskatchewan uses Central Standard Time which is different from the time zone of Alberta which combines Mountain Daylight Time or (Central Standard Time) with daylight saving time.^[1]

CanAm Highway

The North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA super corridor CanAm Highway travels along U.S. Route 85 connecting Mexico to Canada. The CanAm highway in Canada comprises Saskatchewan Highways Hwy 35, Hwy 39, Hwy 6, Hwy 3, and Hwy 2 The total length of the CanAm highway is 4,122 kilometres (2,561 mi), of which Hwy 3 contributes a 97.8 miles (157.4 km) segment length.^[5] The route designated as CanAm in the 1920s continues south in Mexico as Mexican Federal Highway 45, and north as SK 102 but are not labeled the CanAm highway.^[5][43]

Intersections from west to east

Rural municipality	Location	km[1]	Mile	Destinations	Notes
Brittania		0	0	Hwy 17 / Hwy 17 – Lloydminster, Onion Lake	Alberta – Saskatchewan border Continues west as Hwy 45 Hwy 3 begins
		24.7	15.3	684 Hwy 684 south – Waseca
Frenchman Butte		28.7	17.8	797 Hwy 797 north – Frenchman Butte
		39.4	24.5	Hwy 21 north – Pierceland	Concurrency with Hwy 21 south begins
		49.5	30.8	Hwy 21 south – Maidstone, Cut Knife, Unity	Concurrency with Hwy 21 south ends
		56.8	35.3	Hwy 26 north – St. Walburg, Loon Lake, Goodsoil	Hwy 3 turns southwest Concurrency with Hwy 26 south begins
	Spruce Lake	67.0	41.6	796 Hwy 796 east – Turtle Lake
Mervin	Turtleford	86.0	53.4	Hwy 26 south – Vawn, The Battlefords	Hwy 3 turns northeast for 4.6 km before turning east Concurrency with Hwy 26 south ends
Parkdale		115.9	72.0	795 Hwy 795 north – Turtle Lake
	Glaslyn	131.7	81.8	Hwy 4 north – Meadow Lake, Dorintosh	Concurrency with Hwy 4 south begins highway turns south shortly after junction
		132.7	82.5	Hwy 4 south – Cochin, The Battlefords	Hwy 3 turns east Concurrency with Hwy 4 south ends
Medstead		152.6	94.8	794 Hwy 794 south – Medstead
Spiritwood		175.8	109.2	696 Hwy 696 north
	Spiritwood	188.1	116.9	Hwy 24 north – Leoville, Chitek Lake
		188.4	117.1	Hwy 378 south – Rabbit Lake, The Battlefords
	Shell Lake	220	137	Hwy 12 south – Blaine Lake, Martensville, Saskatoon
Canwood		246.8	153.4	694 Hwy 694 north – Canwood	south of Ordale
Shellbrook		265.7	165.1	Hwy 40 west – Blaine Lake, Hafford, The Battlefords
	Shellbrook	269.4	167.4	Hwy 55 west – Canwood, Green Lake, Meadow Lake	Concurrency with Hwy 55 east begins
	Holbein	282.2	175.4	693 Hwy 693 north – Sturgeon Valley
Buckland	Prince Albert	311.9	193.8	Hwy 2 north – Prince Albert National Park, La Ronge	Hwy 3 turns south Begin CanAm Highway segment Concurrency with Hwy 2 south begins.
City		313.4	194.7	Hwy 55 east – Choiceland, Nipawin	Concurrency with Hwy 55 east ends.
		314.5	195.4	Hwy 2 south – St. Louis, Wakaw, Moose Jaw Hwy 302 west (15th Street W.)	Hwy 3 turns east Concurrency with Hwy 2 south ends. Concurrency with Hwy 302 east begins.
		316.0	196.4	Hwy 302 east (15th Street E.)	Hwy 3 turns south Concurrency with Hwy 302 east ends. Hwy 3 travels southeast between Prince Albert and Birch Hills.
	Muskoday First Nation Indian Reserve	337.8	209.9	South Saskatchewan River	crosses Muskoday Bridge
Birch Hills	Birch Hills	352.6	219.1	Hwy 25 west – St. Louis
		355.3	220.8	Hwy 20 south – Humboldt, Lanigan
Kinistino		368.6	229.0	682 Hwy 682 north – Weldon	Concurrency with Hwy 682 south begins
	Kinistino	379.6	235.9	778 Hwy 778 south 682 Hwy 682 south – Meskanaw	Concurrency with Hwy 682 south ends
Flett's Springs	Beatty	395.4	245.7	Hwy 368 south – St. Brieux, Lake Lenore, Muenster
		408.0	253.5	Hwy 41A south – Hwy 41
City	Melfort	409.1	254.2	Hwy 6 north – Gronlid, Choiceland	Concurrency with Hwy 6 south begins Highway turns south at east end of city
		412.4	256.3	Hwy 6 south – Naicam, Watson, Regina Hwy 41 west – Wakaw, Aberdeen, Saskatoon	Hwy 3 turns east Concurrency with Hwy 6 south ends End CanAm Highway segment
Star City		430.3	267.4	681 Hwy 681 – Star City
Tisdale	Tisdale	448.9	278.9	Hwy 35 – Nipawin, Rose Valley, Wadena
Bjorkdale	Crooked River	470.4	292.3	Hwy 23 south – Porcupine Plain, Bertwell	Hwy 3 turns north Concurrency with Hwy 23 north begins
		473.6	294.3	Hwy 23 north – Carrot River	Hwy 3 turns east Concurrency with Hwy 23 north ends
		505.8	314.3	678 Hwy 678 south – Porcupine Plain
Porcupine		523.6	325.3	677 Hwy 677 south – Carragana
Hudson Bay	Hudson Bay	564.4	350.7	Hwy 9 south – Bertwell, Preeceville, Canora, Yorkton	Hwy 3 turns north Concurrency with Hwy 9 north begins
		565.7	351.5	Hwy 9 north – The Pas	Hwy 3 turns east Concurrency with Hwy 9 north ends
	Armit	607.1	377.2	Hwy 980 south – Elbow Lake, Arran
		614.4	381.8	PTH 77	Manitoba – Saskatchewan border. Hwy 3 ends
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

• List of Saskatchewan provincial highways

References

External links

• Saskatchewan Highways Website
• Abandoned Farm along Highway 3 Abandoned Places Canada Photographs of Abandoned Buildings & Homesteads in Canada.
• Saskatchewan Highway Sign
• Saskatchewan Road Trip Highway 3 Westbound Highway 20 to Highway 40 Photographed