Residents in Bienfait and those who travel in that area are eagerly awaiting the end of a major construction project in southeast Saskatchewan. The Twinning of Highway 39 from Roche Percee to Estevan. 

"We met with the Department of Highways some weeks ago," explained Paul Carroll, Mayor of Bienfait, "and their indication to us at that time was that they were on target to finish up by the end of October."

"I travel it everyday and I'm a little skeptical that they're going to actually make the October 31st deadline. But I'm sure if the weather holds, that in a few days in November, they'll be able to clean up whatever is left."  

"it's been very troublesome trying to get back and forth on the commute to work and from work for most people in our area. I think that the reduced speed has increased the length of time people used for travel so it has affected people's patience to a certain degree."

"It's a short-term pain for long-term gain as the old saying goes but while you're going through the pain, it's tough to see the future."

Carroll also shared that there is another construction project in the works.

"The Department of Highways has agreed to pave Weldon Road from the railway tracks, north to the Highway 18 junction and turn that into a good service road for us. At that time, if that happens, then the town has agreed to take that portion of road over, and look after it and take over ownership. So we're hopeful that will happen this fall. If it doesn't, then we're back to the drawing board on that but nonetheless, we have an agreement in place."

Also in Bienfait news, the town council recently met.

"We had a short meeting, it was nice, we had a very short agenda. We dealt with some hings on our waste water project and looking to get ready for winter."

"We're making sure that we have all our snow fencing up and we have all our equipment ready to be serviced and ready for winter. Snow removal is high on our list of priorities in a small town so we want to make sure all of our equipment is ready to go."

READ MORE: Highway 39 Twinning Begins Next Week

READ MORE: Highway 39 Twinning On Budget And On Time