Anyone who regularly drives betweeen Weyburn and Estevan along the Highway 39 corridor will be happy to know the first set of passing lanes will soon be complete.

"We've talked many times about the frustrations of construction and how eventually we get to enjoy the benefits of the improved infrastructure, and this will be the first set that's opening," shared Greg Ottenbreit, Minister of Highways and Infrastructure.

"The first set of passing lanes on the Highway 39 corridor between Estevan and Weyburn will be opening after the long weekend," he said. "It's just kind of dependent on the pavement markings, we want to get that in place first, so probably mid-week."

Ottenbreit said they have also been making good progress on the rest of the passing lanes, and they're anticipating 'pretty much all of them will be opening by the summer of 2021'.

The passing lanes are part of a $100 million federal-provincial highway safety improvement to this busy international trade corridor.

He said the difference should be noticeable.

Anybody that's used to driving that corridor and they happen to get in behind somebody that's maybe moving a bit below the speed limit, as long as people really follow the rules, I mean, we know you're supposed to move over to the right and let the quicker traffic go on the left, type of thing. For the most part, people do, but you have that available to you right there so you can maybe get by slower traffic," he noted.

"For the patience part of it, so many people, once they realize the passing lanes are there, instead of taking chances even a few kilometres before where you do have an opportunity to pass with a dotted line, they will kind of hang back, knowing that a couple of kilometres down there's a passing lane, and they can do it safely and comfortably without a whole lot of stress and possibly risk," Ottenbreit said.

"Having driven this very busy corridor for years, these passing lanes will be very welcome," Government Relations Minister and Estevan MLA Lori Carr said. "They will bring much needed added safety for those that travel this route."

The passing lanes are part of a $100 million federal-provincial highway safety improvement to this busy international trade corridor.

The Government of Canada is investing $53.3 million toward the project under the National Trade Corridors Fund. The project consists of improvements on Highway 6, and the resurfacing and addition of 10 passing lanes on Highway 39. It will also see shoulder widening, installation of Intelligent Transportation Systems and variable message signs, and culvert replacements. Work is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2021. The first set of passing lanes will open as soon as line painting and sign installation is complete. Drivers are asked to obey signs and watch for changing traffic patterns as new infrastructure opens on Highway 39.

Construction also continues on a $31.2 million project which includes four sets of passing lanes on Highway 39 between McTaggart to Milestone and about 25 km of paving. This portion is scheduled to be complete later this fall. Drivers are asked to consider alternate routes while work is ongoing.

A $5.4 million passing lane project was completed along the same corridor on Highway 6 south of Regina in 2018.