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A community west of Saskatoon is nine kilometres closer to reaping the economic benefits a twinned highway are expected to bring now that the first phase of a major construction project is complete.

Work on the Highway 7 twinning project began last fall; the first phase, which consists of the nine kilometres of highway between Saskatoon and Vanscoy, opened to traffic Thursday. The second and third phases consist of an additional 16 kilometres stretching to Delisle.

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“Highway 7 is a busy corridor for commuters and shippers,” Paul Merriman, Government House Leader and MLA for Saskatoon Silverspring-Sutherland, said in a statement.

“This twinning project and the new passing lanes completed on Highway 7 between Delisle and Rosetown last year will help enhance safety and improve the flow of traffic.”

The project was announced in March 2015 by Premier Brad Wall and former prime minister Stephen Harper, and the federal government pledged to cover half the cost, up to a maximum of $32 million.