Saskatchewan Highway 6

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, Canada–US 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 5 Hwy 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 Canada–US border 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
Minton Ceylon Corinne Regina Southey Raymore Dafoe Watson Naicam Silver Park Melfort Gronlid Choiceland

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.^[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]

Major intersections

From south to north:^[39]

Rural municipality	Location	km[1]	mi	Destinations	Notes
Continues south as MT 16 south – Plentywood, Culbertson
Surprise Valley No. 9	Regway	0	0.0	Canada–United States border
		6.7	4.2	Hwy 18 west – Coronach, Rockglen, Mankota	Hwy 18 concurrency begins
		16.4	10.2	Hwy 18 east – Estevan	Hwy 18 concurrency ends
	Minton	18.6	11.6
The Gap No. 39		42.8	26.6	Hwy 705 east – Souris Valley, Colgate	Hwy 705 concurrency begins
		49.9	31.0	Hwy 705 west – Bengough	Hwy 705 concurrency ends
	Ceylon	51.8	32.2	Hwy 377 east – Radville
Norton No. 69		72.3	44.9	Hwy 13 (Red Coat Trail) – Pangman, Assiniboia, Weyburn
Caledonia No. 99		94.2	58.5	Hwy 712 west – Parry
		94.2	58.5	Hwy 710 east – Milestone, Lewvan
		115.6	71.8	Hwy 39 east – Milestone, Weyburn, Estevan	Hwy 6 branches northwest Hwy 39 concurrency begins National Highway System designation begins
				CanAm Hwy segment begins
	Corinne	118.5	73.6	Hwy 334 west – Avonlea	An unincorporated area.
Bratt's Lake No. 129		119.3	74.1	Hwy 39 west – Wilcox, Moose Jaw	Hwy 39 concurrency ends
		134.7	83.7	Hwy 714 west – Rouleau
		141.2	87.7	Hwy 306 east – Estlin, Gray, Riceton
Sherwood No. 159		153.4	95.3	Future Regina Bypass	Interchange under construction[40]
City of Regina		158.3	98.4	Hwy 1 (TCH) west (TCH Bypass) – Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Calgary Albert Street S – City Centre	Interchange Hwy 6 branches east Hwy 1 concurrency begins
		164.9	102.5	Hwy 33 east (Arcola Avenue) – Francis, Carlyle	Interchange
		166.6	103.5	Hwy 1 (TCH) east / Victoria Avenue E – City Centre, Indian Head, Moosomin, Winnipeg Hwy 11 north (Ring Road)	Interchange Hwy 1 concurrency ends Hwy 11 concurrency begins
		170.1	105.7	Hwy 46 east (McDonald Street) – Pilot Butte, Balgonie	Interchange
		173.4	107.7	Albert Street N – City Centre Ring Road west	Interchange Hwy 6 / 11 branches north
		175.8	109.2	Hwy 11 north (Louis Riel Trail) – Lumsden, Saskatoon	Hwy 11 concurrency ends National Highway System designation ends Northbound exit, southbound entrance
Sherwood No. 159	No major junctions
Lumsden No. 189		183.8	114.2	Hwy 734 – Lumsden, Zehner
		199.6	124.0	Hwy 729 – Craven, Edenwold
		204.4	127.0	Hwy 624 south – Zehner, Pilot Butte
Longlaketon No. 219		210.9	131.0	Hwy 99 west – Craven
Cupar No. 218	Southey	228.0	141.7	Hwy 22 – Earl Grey, Cupar, Fort Qu'Appelle
		242.9	150.9	Hwy 731 west – Strasbourg
Touchwood No. 248		250.0	155.3	Hwy 731 east – Ituna
Mount Hope No. 279		279.1	173.4	Hwy 15 east – Ituna, Melville	Hwy 15 concurrency begins
	Raymore	281.7	175.0	Hwy 15 west – Nokomis, Kenaston, Outlook	Hwy 15 concurrency ends
		291.4	181.1	Hwy 744 west – Nokomis
Big Quill No. 308		305.5	189.8	Hwy 743 east – Wishart
	Dafoe	319.6	198.6	Hwy 16 (TCH) east – Wynyard, Yorkton	Hwy 16 concurrency begins
Prairie Rose No. 309		324.8	201.8	Hwy 16 (TCH) west – Lanigan, Saskatoon	Hwy 16 concurrency ends
Lakeside No. 338		347.4	215.9	Leroy access road
Town of Watson		362.7	225.4	Hwy 5 east – Wadena, Canora, Kamsack	Hwy 5 concurrency begins
		362.9	225.5	Hwy 5 west – Humboldt, Saskatoon	Hwy 5 concurrency ends
Spalding No. 368		384.2	238.7	Hwy 756 west – Annaheim, Marysburg	Hwy 756 concurrency begins
		385.8	239.7	Hwy 756 east – Rose Valley	Hwy 756 concurrency ends
Pleasantdale No. 398	Naicam	395.5	245.8	Hwy 349 east – Archerwill Hwy 777 west – Lake Lenore
	Silver Park	423.7	263.3	Hwy 773 – St. Brieux, McKague
Star City No. 428		439.6	273.2	Hwy 776 east – Resource
City of Melfort		446.1	277.2	Hwy 3 east – Tisdale, Hudson Bay Hwy 41 west – Wakaw, Saskatoon	Hwy 3 concurrency begins Concurrency turns northwest north of Hwy 3/41 intersection.
		449.4	279.2	Broadway Avenue Hwy 3 west (Saskatchewan Avenue) – Birch Hills, Prince Albert	Hwy 6 branches north Hwy 3 concurrency ends
				CanAm Hwy segment ends
Kinistino No. 459		466.7	290.0	Hwy 778 west – Kinistino
Willow Creek No. 458	Gronlid	482.5	299.8	Hwy 335 east – Nicklen
Nipawin No. 487		482.5	299.8	Hwy 789 east – Lost River
		495.9	308.1	Melfort Bridge across the Saskatchewan River
Torch River No. 488	Choiceland	516.6	321.0	Hwy 55 – Prince Albert, Nipawin Hwy 692 north	Hwy 6 ends
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus       Incomplete access       Route transition       Unopened

Extra reading

• Golden leaves / Minton Homesteading in Surprise Valley. 1980" Book Committee. [S.l.] : Minton "1980" Book Committee, 1980. Minton "1980" Book Committee
• Builders of a great land.Published Ceylon, Sask. : History Committee of R.M. of The Gap # 39, 1980. ISBN 0889250820.
• Homesteading in Surprise Valley; an autobiographical account of the pioneers in this district, compiled by Alice Henderson and Mrs. Nick Stefan.
• Builders of a great land continues : R.M. of The Gap #39, Ceylon. ISBN 1-55056-859-0.
• From the roughbark to the buttes : R.M. Norton, no. 69, villages of Amulet, Forward, Khedive, Moreland and Pangman. R.M. of Norton History Committee. ISBN 0889251444.
• Update 95 : R.M. of Norton #69 : Pangman, Moreland, Khedive, Forward, Amulet. Published Pangman, Sask. : R.M. of Norton History Committee, c1998. ISBN 1550565125.
• Southey seen. Published Southey, SK : [s.n.], 1965. Southey High School.
• From prairie wool to golden grain : Raymore and district, 1904-1979. Published Raymore, Sask. : Raymore and District Historical Society, c1980
• Harvest of memories : Earl Grey and district. Published Earl Grey, SK : Earl Grey History Committee, 2007. ISBN 9781553831761 (bound) 1553831764 (bound)
• Longlaketon [microform] / [A.S.R.] Published [S.l. : s.n., 1893?]Institute for Historical Microreproductions, 1981. 1 microfiche (6 fr.) ISBN 0665150474 (Positive copy)
• Seventy five years of rural municipal government / by B.M. Sali. Sali, B. M. Published [Markinch, Sask.] : Published by Rural Municipality of Cupar No. 218, [1985?].
• Watson, Saskatchewan : photographs and posters Published [Watson, SK : s.n. ; 19—?]
• Fifty years of progress : chiefly the story of the pioneers of the Watson district from 1900-1910 / edited by Ben Putnam .. [et al.] Muenster, Sask. : St. Peter's Press, [1951?]
• A century of progress : Watson and district. Published Watson, Sask. : Watson History Book Committee, c2003. ISBN 1550569449
• Prairie Rose memories Published Jansen, Sask. : Prairie Rose Historical Society, 1992. ISBN 1550560085
• Spalding roots and branches Spalding, Sask. : Spalding & District Historical Society, 1981. ISBN 0889252351
• Gleanings along the way : a history of Naicam, Lac Vert and surrounding districts / [Naicam Heritage Committee] ; cover design by Norah Pederson ; inside liners by Leslie Amundson ; sketches by Crystal Misfeldt. Published Winnipeg, Man. : Inter-Collegiate Press, 1980
• Voices of the past : a history of Melfort and district. Author Ryan, Timothy. Published Melfort : Melfort and District Golden Jubilee Committee, 1955
• Log cabin tales and changing trails : history of Choiceland and district. Published Choiceland, Sask. : Choiceland Historical Society, 1984. ISBN 0889254591
• Kinistino : the story of a parkland community in central Saskatchewan, in two parts. Published [Kinistino? Sask.] : Kinistino and District Historical Organization, 1980. Armstrong, Jerrold
• R.M. of Willow Creek No. 458 : jubilee year, 1912-1962. Author Kahn, Fannie H. Hoffer. Published Melfort, Sask. : Melfort Journal Press, 1962

References

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, eds. 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. Modern Press.
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. 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. Bushman, Rob (2006). "Development of a warning system for the reduction of animal/vehicle collisions" (pdf). www.irdinc.com. International Road Dynamics Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
21. "Nov. 15, 2006 - Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard Deer Can Be A Roadside Hazard". www.environment.gov.sk.ca. 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). www.strieter-lite.com. 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
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40. "Regina Bypass". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 26 November 2016.

External links

Route map: Bing / Google

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

• Can Am Highway Saskatchewan Tourism
• Sask Biz Community Profiles
• Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
• Sask Biz Norton No. 69
• Sask Biz Caledonia No. 99
• Sask Biz Southey
• Sask Biz Rural Municipality (RM) of Lumsden
• Sask Biz Raymore
• Sask Biz Cupar
• Sask Biz Watson
• Sask Biz Prairie Rose
• Sask Biz Naicam
• Sask Biz Melfort
• Sask Biz Choiceland
• Saskatchewan 1926 Highway Map