Saskatchewan Highway 6

Saskatchewan Highway 6 shieldCanAm Highway shield

Highway 6
CanAm Highway (segment)
Route information
Maintained by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
& Transport Canada
Length: 518.4 km[1] (322.1 mi)
Major junctions
North end: Hwy 55 at Beaver House near Choiceland
South end: MT 16, US-Canada border near Minton
Location
Rural
municipalities:		 Surprise Valley, The Gap, Norton, Caledonia, Bratt's Lake, Lumsden, Longlaketon, Cupar, Kutawa, Mount Hope, Prairie Rose, Spalding, Star City, Kinistino, Pleasantdale, Willow Creek, Nipawin, Torch River
Major cities: Melfort, Regina
Highway system

Provincial highways in Saskatchewan

← Hwy 5Hwy 7 →

Highway 6 is a paved undivided major provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.[2] It runs from Montana Highway 16 at the Saskatchewan border with the US near the Canada customs port of Regway to Highway 55 near Choiceland. Highway 6 is about 516.6 km (321.0 mi) long. The CanAm Highway[3] comprises Saskatchewan Highways from south to north: SK 35, Sk 39, Sk 6, Sk 3, as well as Sk 2.[4] 203.1 miles (326.9 km) of Saskatchewan Highway 6 contribute to the CanAm Highway between Corinne and Melfort.[5]

Major provincial highways that Highway 6 intersects are Highway 18, Highway 13 (the Redcoat Trail), Highway 39, Highway 1 (The Trans-Canada), Highway 11, Highway 99, Highway 22, Highway 15, Highway 16 (the Yellowhead), Highway 5, Highway 3, Highway 41, and Highway 55.

Highway 6 passes through the cities of Regina and Melfort.


Travel route

Canada - United States border to Corinne

Communities

Highway 6 begins at the Canada – United States border. The border crossings are Raymond, Montana on Montana Highway 16 in the United States and at Regway, Saskatchewan on Hwy 6.[6] Two early name choices for Meyer were Meyersville or Fort Comfort the name of the neighboring North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) post to the north. Minton, became a hamlet in 1930 and in 1951 Minton incorporated as a village.[7] The initial stages of the journey are mixed grassland, and the main economy is ranching.[8] This area traversed is the Big Muddy Badlands area of the Missouri Coteau. The terrain of the Missouri Coteau features low hummocky, undulating, rolling hills, potholes, and grasslands. This physiographic region of Saskatchewan is the uplands Missouri Coteau, a part of the Great Plains Province or Alberta Plateau Region which extends across the south east corner of the province of Saskatchewan.[9] There are several unique geographical features. The Big Muddy Valley, The Hole in the Wall Coulee, Roan Mare Coulee are all deep valleys of the area. The Big Muddy Lake, an alkali lake, could be crossed at the Diamond Crossing was a rise in Big Muddy Lake. Outlaw gangs such as the Jones-Nelson Gang used this undulating landscape to cross the border and hide out. The Big Muddy Lake itself is as are West Coteau and East Coteau lake.[10] Between the Canada customs port of Regway, and Minton are several points of interest such as an old schoolhouse, and the historic Ceylon Park Memorial Garden.[11] Gibson Creek is dammed with Ceylon Dam providing water to the village of Ceylon, as well as the Ceylon Regional Park which is located just off Hwy 6.[12] Besides passing ranches, oil and gas wells, agricultural lands producing feed, there are also Pregnant Mare Urine barns along this route.[13] Hwy 6 intersects the Red Coat Trail near Pangman at Ceylon.

Highway 6 section of CanAm Highway begins

Corinne is located at the Sk Hwy 6 and Sk Hwy 39 junction.

Sk Hwy 6 and Sk Hwy 1, the TransCanada Hwy Cloverleaf interchange south of Regina one of the first two SK interchanges which opened in 1967.[14]

It is here that the northern journey of the CanAm Highway continues on Sk Hwy 6. Sk Hwy 6 and Sk Hwy 1, the TransCanada Hwy Cloverleaf interchange south of Regina is one of the first two Saskatchewan interchanges which opened in 1967.[14] Regina is the capital of Saskatchewan and is the second largest in the province (after Saskatoon). Regina was previously the headquarters of the North-West Territories, of which today's provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta originally formed part, and of the District of Assiniboia.[15]

The city is situated on a broad, flat, treeless plain. There is an abundance of parks and greenspaces: all of its trees — some 300,000[16] — shrubs and other plants were hand-planted and Regina's considerable beauty is entirely man-made.[17] As in other prairie cities, American elms were planted in front yards in residential neighbourhoods and on boulevards along major traffic arteries and are the dominant species in the urban forest. The IPSCO Wildlife Park is located off Hwy 6 at Regina.[18] The Qu'Appelle River flows east - west across the province, Highway 6 goes through the Qu'Appelle valley north of Regina. A crosswalk was installed at Southey with overhead lights giving higher visibility to pedestrians crossing Hwy 6 at Assiniboia Avenue.[19]

approaching the Highway 6 - Highway 1 interchange north of Regina

In the aspen parkland ecoregion, deer and other large ungulates are a hazard to traffic resulting in potential animal or human deaths especially in the autumn mating months or when deer are searching for feeding grounds in the spring. The defense mechanism of deer in the face of a threat is to freeze. There are over 3,500 deer - auto collisions per year in Saskatchewan.[20] A number of measures have been implemented to increase awareness such as fencing, feeding programs, automobile whistles.<ref name="system" Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation has launched "Slow Down and Save a Buck" sign campaign.[21] Deer mirrors along the edges of highways were installed for reducing deer-vehicle collisions.[22] The Wildlife Warning System is triggered by highway vehicles, setting off lights, sounds and or odours ahead of the approaching vehicle to frighten away animals. A system that detects vehicle was installed in 2002 near Harris to reduce the quantity of mule deer - automobile accidents for a two year testing period.[23] Another system detects large animals and sets off a warning system to drivers of vehicles alerting them that an animal is on or near the highway ahead of time.[20][24]

The projects on Highways 39 and 6 will help to improve traffic flow through these Canada/U.S. ports. "Highways 6 and 39 are very important to Saskatchewan – serving as tourism links and major north-south trade corridors to the U.S.," Sonntag said.

— NDP [25]

At the Hwy 39 concurrency, Hwy 6 becomes a part of the CanAm Highway. The historic Wood Mountain - FortQu'Appelle Trail is marked with a point of interest marker. McNab Regional Park is located south of Watson featuring pool and golf course.[26] Watson is located amid the junction of Hwy 5 and Hwy 6.[27] In this area Hwy 6 is traveling through the boreal-transition ecoregion.

Highway 6 is a major north/south highway that has been experiencing higher volumes of truck traffic and general traffic, ... By strengthening the base of this section, we are ensuring Highway 6 will be able to support these heavier loads.

— Highways and Transportation Minister Pat Atkinson[28]

The highway travels east of Lake Charron upon which Lake Charron Regional Park offers camping, fishing, nature trails and snowmobiling trails.[29] Naicam is served by Hwy 6, and Hwy 349.[30] This area is sustained by agriculture with the ecosystem changing from the rolling parkland to boreal forest. The Barrier river valley, Kipabiskau Regional Park, and Lake Charron Regional Park are nearby features.[31]

Highway No. 6 has a much higher traffic count, many more trucks in and out from the States than Highway No. 35 would have.’’

— The Highway Minister Maynard Sonntag [32]

Highway 6 section of CanAmHighway ends

Melfort, a city of about 6,000, is located on Hwy 6, Hwy 3, and Sk Hwy 41.[33][34] The CanAm Highway continues north on Hwy 3.

Melfort post office

The South Saskatchewan and North Saskatchewan Rivers join together west of the highway. The highway thus crosses the Saskatchewan River. The Fort à la Corne Provincial Park and the confluence of the Saskatchewan River Basin are two major attractions in this area.[35] Choiceland is located 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Hwy 55, the terminus junction of Hwy 6.[36] The rural municipality of Torch River No. 488 is located past the tree line of Saskatchewan. There are several recreational sites in the area such as Scot's Landing on the Saskatchewan River and Carrolls Cove Campground, Pruden's Point at Tobin Lake.[37]

History

In 1999 the asphalt concrete pavement section of Highway 6 north of Raymore was tested with a Cold in-place recycling or “CIR” method to rehabilitate highways. This CIR process is a cost-effective method which recycles the top surface of a road. This pulverized material is mixed with asphalt emulsion and spread and compacted back onto the highway surface. This surface is then recovered with a new seal dependent on traffic volume.[38]

Intersections from south to north

Rural municipalityLocationkm[1]miDestinationsNotes
Surprise Valley No. 9United States border00 MT 16United States border; continues south as Hwy 16 north of Plentywood, Montana
Hwy 6 begins
 6.74.2 Hwy 18 west – Coronach, Rockglen, MankotaBegins concurrency with Hwy 18 east
 16.410.2 Hwy 18 east – Lake Alma, Oungre, EstevanConcurrency with Hwy 18 east ends
VillageMinton18.611.6
The Gap No. 39 42.826.6
705
Hwy 705 east – Souris Valley, Colgate
 49.931.0
705
Hwy 705 west – Bengough
VillageCeylon51.832.2 Hwy 377 east – Radville
Norton No. 69 72.344.9 Hwy 13 – Assiniboia, Weyburn, StoughtonRed Coat Trail
Caledonia No. 99 94.258.5
712
Hwy 712 west – Parry
 94.258.5
710
Hwy 710 east – Milestone, Lewvan
 115.671.8 Hwy 39 east – Milestone, Weyburn, Estevan, North PortalBegins concurrency Hwy 39 west
Beginning CanAm Highway segment
Corinne118.573.6 Hwy 334 west – AvonleaAn unincorporated area.
Bratt's Lake No. 129 119.374.1 Hwy 39 west – Rouleau, Moose JawEnds concurrency Hwy 39 west
 134.783.7
714
Hwy 714 west – Rouleau
 141.287.7 Hwy 306 east – Estlin, Lewvan, Colfax
CityRegina158.398.4 Hwy 1 (TCH) west – Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, CalgaryParclo intersection (Albert Street)
Concurrency begins with Hwy 1 east
Ring Road Regina
164.9102.5 Hwy 33 east – Kronau, Stoughton, CarlyleArcola Avenue
166.6103.5 Hwy 1 (TCH) east – Indian Head, Whitewood, Brandon, Winnipeg
Hwy 11 north – Lumsden, Chamberlain, Saskatoon		Victoria Avenue
Concurrency ends with Hwy 1 east
Concurrency begins with Hwy 11 north
170.1105.7 Hwy 46 east – Pilot Butte, BalgonieMcDonald Street
173.4107.7 Albert Street
3 leaf cloverleaf Ring Road Regina
175.8109.2 Hwy 11 turns northwest
Concurrency ends with Hwy 11 north
Lumsden No. 189 183.8114.2
734
Hwy 734 – Lumsden, Zehner
199.6124.0
729
Hwy 729 – Craven, Edenwold
204.4127.0
624
Hwy 624 south – Zehner, Pilot Butte
Longlaketon No. 219 210.9131.0 Hwy 99 west – Craven
TownSouthey228.0141.7 Hwy 22 – Earl Grey, Cupar, Fort Qu'Appelle
Cupar No. 218 242.9150.9
731
Hwy 731 west – Strasbourg
Touchwood No. 248 250.0155.3
731
Hwy 731 east – Ituna
Kutawa No. 278 279.1173.4 Hwy 15 east – Leross, Ituna, MelvilleConcurrency with Hwy 15 west begins
TownRaymore281.7175.0 Hwy 15 west – Nokomis, Kenaston, OutlookConcurrency with Hwy 15 west ends
Mount Hope No. 279 291.4181.1
744
Hwy 744 west – Nokomis
Big Quill No. 308 305.5189.8
743
Hwy 743 east – Wishart
 319.6198.6 Hwy 16 (TCH) east – Wynyard, Foam Lake, YorktonConcurrency with Hwy 16 west begins
TownDafoe319.9198.8 
Prairie Rose No. 309 324.8201.8 Hwy 16 (TCH) west – Lanigan, SaskatoonConcurrency with Hwy 16 west ends
Lakeside No. 338 347.4215.9Leroy access road
TownWatson362.7225.4 Hwy 5 east – Quill Lake, Wadena, CanoraConcurrency with Hwy 5 west begins
362.9225.5 Hwy 5 west – Humboldt, SaskatoonConcurrency with Hwy 5 west ends
Spalding No. 368 384.2238.7
756
Hwy 756 west – Annaheim, Marysburg		Concurrency with Hwy 756 east begins
385.8239.7
756
Hwy 756 east – Rose Valley		Concurrency with Hwy 756 east ends
TownNaicam395.5245.8 Hwy 349 east – Archerwill
777
Hwy 777 west – Lake Lenore
Pleasantdale No. 398Silver Park423.7263.3
773
Hwy 773 – St. Brieux, McKague
Star City No. 428 439.6273.2
776
Hwy 776 east – Resource
CityMelfort446.1277.2 Hwy 3 east – Star City, Tisdale, Hudson Bay
Hwy 41 west – Wakaw, Aberdeen, Saskatoon		Concurrency with Hwy 3 west begins
449.4279.2 Hwy 3 west – Kinistino, Birch Hills, Prince AlbertConcurrency with Hwy 3 west ends
CanAm Highway segment ends.
Kinistino No. 459 466.7290.0
778
Hwy 778 west – Kinistino
Willow Creek No. 458Gronlid482.5299.8 Hwy 335 east – Nicklen
Nipawin No. 487 482.5299.8
789
Hwy 789 east – Lost River
 495.9308.1Bridge across Saskatchewan River
Torch River No. 488south of Choiceland516.6321.0 Hwy 55 – Prince Albert, Meath Park, NipawinHwy 6 ends
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Extra reading

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Microsoft Streets and Tips (Map) (2004 ed.). Microsoft Corporation Redmond Washington.
  2. ↑ "TYPE ADMN_CLASS TOLL_RD RTE_NUM1 RTE_NUM2 ROUTE 1 Gravel ...". Government of Canada. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  3. ↑ Macdonald, Julian (1999–2003). "Provincial Highways @ Saskatchewan Highways Website". Archived from the original on 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  4. ↑ "Western Canada Group Travel Planner: Getting to Western Canada". 1999–2003. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  5. ↑ Microsoft Streets and Tips (Map) (2004 ed.). Microsoft Corp. § Route Planner.
  6. ↑ "Border Crossings". PBB Global Logistics. 2006. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  7. ↑ "Minton". Sask Biz. Geography of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  8. ↑ Thorpe, J. (1999). Kai-iu Fung, Bill Barry, Wilson, Michael, ed. Natural Vegetation. Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium (Millennium ed.) (Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan). pp. 132–138. ISBN 0-88880-387-7.
  9. ↑ Richards, J.H. (1969). "Saskatchewan: Atlas of Saskatchewan". Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan.
  10. ↑ "Surprise Valley". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  11. ↑ "Saskatchewan Road Map Travel Guide: #6 Canada / United States ...". Mile By Mile Media. 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  12. ↑ "Ceylon". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  13. ↑ "Rural Municipality (RM) of The Gap #39 (The Gap)". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Cousins, Brian. "Transportation". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. CANADIAN PLAINS RESEARCH CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  15. ↑ Daria Coneghan, "Regina," The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  16. ↑ Coneghan.
  17. ↑ "Regina," The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  18. ↑ "Trans-Canada Highway: Regina, Saskatchewan's Top Attractions". FoundLocally.com Media Inc. 1999–2007.
  19. ↑ "PREMIER OFFICIALLY OPENS SOUTHEY CROSSWALK". Government of Saskatchewan. June 13, 2002. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Bushman, Rob (2006). "Development of a warning system for the reduction of animal/vehicle collisions" (PDF). http://www.irdinc.com/library/pdf/wws-summary.pdf''. International Road Dynamics Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  21. ↑ "Nov. 15, 2006 - Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard". About Environment/Media/NewsLines/NewsLine/2006 NewsLines/Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard. Government of Saskatchewan. 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  22. ↑ "Critique of Averse Reports and tests swareflex and strieter-lite Wild Animal Highway Warning Reflector System" (PDF). http://www.strieter-lite.com/pdf/Analysis_of_Critical_Reports.pdf''. Strieter-lite. 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  23. ↑ "Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard". November 15, 2006. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  24. ↑ "Overview of Technologies Aimed at Reducing and Preventing Large Animal Strikes" (PDF). Standards Research and Development Branch Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate. Transport Canada - Government of Canada. 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  25. ↑ "Saskatchewan NDP articles". Improving Highways - Weyburn Estevan Area. 2004-03-03. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  26. ↑ "Accommodations—The Official Web Site of Humboldt, Saskatchewan". City of Humboldt. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  27. ↑ "Watson". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  28. ↑ "Improvements to Highway 6 North of Regina". About Government/News Releases/February 2001/IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 6 NORTH OF REGINA. Reed Business Information a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. February 2001. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  29. ↑ "Spalding No. 368". Sask Biz. Geography of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  30. ↑ "Infrastructure". Naicam, Saskatchewan, Canada. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  31. ↑ "Pleasantdale No. 398 Geography The Rural Municipality (RM) of Torch ..". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  32. ↑ "Headache for truckers crossing border Highway in Sask. causing problems: opposition". The Canadian Press. Reed Business Information a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. May 17, 2005. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  33. ↑ "Melfort Community Profile" (PDF). City of Melfort. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  34. ↑ "Melfort". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  35. ↑ "Kinistino No. 459". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  36. ↑ "Choiceland, Saskatchewan: Choice Route to Northern Saskatchewan". Naicam, Saskatchewan, Canada. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  37. ↑ "Torch River No. 488 Geography The Rural Municipality (RM) of Torch ..". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  38. ↑ Ron Gerbrandt; Tim Makahoniuk; Cathy Lynn Borbely; Curtis Berthelot (2000). "Effect of Cold-in-place recycling on the Heavyweight Trucking Industry" (PDF). 6th International Conference on Heavy Vehicle Weights and Dimension Proceedings. Retrieved 2013-10-11. Guidelines must be followed strictly - No exceptions

External links

Route map: Bing

CanAm Highway
Legend through Sk, CA:
SK 35 -green
Sk 39 -red
Sk 6 -blue
Sk 3 -yellow
Sk 2 -pink
Sk Hwy 6 map in 1926 before it was straightened