Grain Millers Drive, a key transportation corridor for Saskatchewan’s agricultural sector, is set for major upgrades with the provincial government pledging to cover up to half the project’s cost, it was announced Wednesday.
The road, located north of Yorkton, supports some of the province’s largest agri-business operations and is considered essential for moving goods to both national and international markets.
"Grain Millers Drive is a critical access point for several major agri-businesses and industries," Premier Scott Moe said in a release. "This is a key artery for the movement of goods and services, connecting local producers to national and international markets."
The seven-kilometre primary weight road is home to major agricultural processors, including Grain Millers Oat Mill and Richardson Oilseed, North America’s largest canola crush facility. The Louis Dreyfus Company also operates a nearby canola facility and plans to add a new pea protein production plant along Grain Millers Drive, intensifying the demand for reliable infrastructure.
Provincial officials say the investment reflects the region’s growing importance as a hub for value-added agriculture.
Before construction begins, the Ministry of Highways, the City of Yorkton, and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Orkney will launch a functional planning study. The study will assess the road’s condition, identify needed upgrades, and explore options for paving the 4.5-kilometre gravel section between its two paved ends. It will also review improvements to intersections with Highways 9 and 16, where heavy truck traffic has been steadily increasing.
