Saskatchewan Highway 3

Highway 3 is a major provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.[2][3] It runs from the Alberta border, where it continues west as Alberta Highway 45, to the Manitoba border, and then continues east as Highway 77. Highway 3 is about 615 km (382 mi.) long. The CanAm Highway[4] comprises Saskatchewan Highways 35, 39, 6, 3, as well as 2.[5] 59.7 miles (96.1 km) of Saskatchewan Highway 3 contribute to the CanAm Highway between Melfort and Prince Albert.[1]

Highway 3 marker Highway 3 marker

Highway 3

CanAm Highway (segment)
Route information
Maintained by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
Length612.0 km[1] (380.3 mi)
Major junctions
West end Hwy 45 at Alberta border near Lloydminster
Major intersections
East end PTH 77 at Manitoba border near Armit
Location
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Rural municipalitiesBrittania, Frenchman Butte, Mervin, Parkdale, Medstead, Spiritwood, Canwood, Shellbrook, Buckland, Prince Albert, Birch Hills, Birch Hills Flett's Springs, Star City, Tisdale, Bjorkdale, Porcupine, Hudson Bay
Major citiesPrince Albert, Melfort
Highway system
Hwy 2 Hwy 4

Major communities that Highway 3 passes through are Prince Albert, Melfort, and Tisdale.

Travel route edit

Travel continues west as Alberta Highway 45 at the Alberta – Saskatchewan border. The Saskatchewan portion of the route begins in the northwestern area of the aspen parkland ecoregion, 27 kilometres (17 mi) north of Lloydminster the border city. Ttrembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) form bluffs (small islands or shelter belts) which are typical in this area.[6] This area also marks the northernmost area of the Missouri Coteau which has produced the Thickwood Hills feature here.[7] Reverend Lloyd and Isaac Montgomery Barr lead the Barr colonists here to Brittania in the early 20th century.[8]

Hwy 3 proceeds east just to the south of the North Saskatchewan River. The river crossing is 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the Hwy 684 junction. Travel proceeds to the north east from here. Hwy 797 north provides access to Frenchman Butte and the Fort Pitt Provincial Historical Park (19 kilometres (12 mi)) off Hwy 3. There is still evidence of the North-West Rebellion, Battle of Frenchman's Butte when the Cree and Major General T.B. Strange met on May 28, 1885 here.[9] Paradise Hill, a village of about 500 people, had post office names of LeClair, Diggs and Archie before adopting the moniker Paradise Hill officially for the hamlet in 1928. Oil and gas plants provide the main employment to the area, followed by agriculture and farm machinery dealerships. A red river cart and ox statue are seen at the outskirts of the village commemorating the Carlton Trail which passed through this area en route between Fort Edmonton, and Fort Garry. The Trans Canada Trail is a walking or hiking trail crossing Canada and it makes its way here as well.[10]

2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) later is the junction with Hwy 21 north, the location of the Rural Municipality of Frenchman Butte No. 501 office. The Bronson Provincial Forest to the north provides incoming traffic during the fall hunting season. Cattle farming predominates the area, supplemented by grain crops and the oil & gas industry.[9] Hwy 21 forms a 10.1 kilometres (6.3 mi) concurrency with Hwy 3. Travelling north on Hwy 26 provides access to St. Walburg and Makwa Lake Provincial Park and Steele Narrow Provincial Historic Park.[1] Hwy 3 turn at the junction with Hwy 26 continuing south east. At the south east end of the 9.7 kilometres (6.0 mi) concurrency of Hwy 3 and Hwy 26 is the village of Spruce Lake and the junction with Hwy 796 west. The ecoregion has changed to boreal transition. Mixed wood boreal forest with jack pine, trembling aspen, white spruce, and tamarack (Larix laricina) furnish the forestry industry.[11]

Turtleford is a town at the junction of Hwy 3 and Hwy 26 and is located along the Turtle River. In 1983, Turtleford became a town with 500 residents, and built the nation's largest turtle. Ernie, a roadside attraction, is 8 feet (2.4 m) high.[12][13] Hwy 3 arrived in Turtleford from the north west and takes a V turn and leaves to the north east. After travelling 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi), Hwy 3 turns and continues its route east. 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) from Turtleford, Hwy 26 north provides access to Livelong, 2.6 kilometres (1.6 mi) north of Hwy 3. The Westside Turtle Lake Resort Area, home of the Turtle Lake Monster is 18 kilometres (11 mi) north also along Hwy 26.[14]

Glaslyn is located south east at the Hwy 4 concurrency. The concurrency is 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) along the north east side of the village. The main economy of Glaslyn and area are agriculture, forestry, ecotourism, fishing, hunting and trapping. Glaslyn was a Welsh community which originally settled on the Meadow LakeBattleford Trail. Turtle Lake, Meadow Lake Provincial Park and The Battlefords Provincial Park are all popular destinations near this access point.[15][16] After Glaslyn the highway continues on its route to the south east. Little Loon Regional Park is located 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of Hwy 3.[14] Cater and Belbutte area both unincorporated areas within Rural Municipality of Medstead No. 497.[17] Hwy 696 north provides access in 46 kilometres (29 mi) to Chitek Lake Recreation Site.

The town of Spiritwood is in an agricultural community based in the north – central parkland area. Grain growing, ranching and tourism increase the traffic here.[18][19] Mildred is a small unincorporated area which belongs to the Rural Municipality of Spiritwood No. 496.[17] The village of Shell Lake, the oasis of the parklands, is accessed 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) northeast of Hwy 3. The physiographic region is within the Saskatchewan plains region, more specifically the Saskatchewan River plain. The features include deep, terraced river valleys, as well as hillocky glacial debris.[20] The RM of Canwood provides civic governance to Hawkeye, and Ordale, both located just north of Hwy 3.[17]Shellbrook is located southwest of Shell Brook, at the junction of Hwy 240 and Hwy 3.[21][22]

Crutwell is a part of Shellbrook No. 493 RM south of the Hwy 55 – Hwy 3 concurrency. This concurrency at 42 kilometres (26 mi) is the longest of the route.[1] The city of Prince Albert, Gateway to the north, is the third largest in the province and is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Highways 55, 302, 2 and 3 all meet here. Agriculture, forestry, mining, and tourism are the largest employers in this sector. Waskesiu Lake in the Prince Albert National Park is located 88.6 kilometres (55.1 mi) north of the city on Hwy 2. This city is centrally located along the highway demarks the transition area between the shield boreal forest to the north and the prairie agricultural lands in the south benefiting from the best of both vegetative regions.[14][23][24]

Muskoday First Nation has reserved for itself the 9,686.8 ha (23,937 acres) through which Hwy 3 travels from north west to south east. The South Saskatchewan River divides the reserve almost in half from north to south and also intersects with Hwy 3. Departure from the reserve is due south along Hwy 3. The town of Birch Hills, A Tradition of Pride and Prosperity, is located at the junction of Hwy 25 south west.[25][26] Travel from Birch Hills continues due east. Brancepeth is north of Hwy 3, a small hamlet of Birch Hills No. 460 RM.[17] At the junction with Hwy 778, Hwy 3 turns south east. Kinistino, a town of 649, is located at the junction of Hwy 778.[17][27] The Fort à la Corne Provincial Forest and the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers are both located within the RM of Kinistino. SCAPE – the Study of Cultural Adaptations in the Prairie Ecozone – is studying the Forks of the Saskatchewan River area and Fort-à-la-Corne lands. The "Changing Opportunities & Challenges: Human-Environment Interaction in the Canadian Prairies Ecozone" program is delving into the archeology, ethnohistory, geomatics, geoarcheology, paleobotany, soil science, and oral traditions of the area.[28][29][30] The village of Beatty, first named Stoney Creek, is located at the junction of Hwy 368.[31]

The City of Northern Lights, Melfort is home to 5,192. The Agriculture Melfort Research Station is centred here along with many other agriculturally based industries. The Tiger Hills Uplands ecozone provides rich soil to grow a diversity of crops.[17][32][33] The concurrency of Hwy 3 and Hwy 6 is a 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) long concurrency at the Hwy 41 junction. Hwy 3 continues due east from Melfort.[1] The town of Star City is north of the Hwy 681 junction. The village of Valparaiso, one of the few Spanish settlements of the province is just north of Hwy 3.[34] The town of Tisdale, is surrounded by lakes Barrier Lake, Marean Lake, Tobin Lake, and Greenwater Lake Provincial Park. Agriculture and manufacturing are the dominant industries in the area. Besides the major provincial Highways 35 and 3, both the Canadian National Railway (CNR) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) serve this town. Over 11,000 vehicles per day travel the two highways through Tisdale. At the intersection of Hwy 35 and 3 is the world's largest honey bee at 6 feet (1.8 m) high.[35][36]

Hwy 3 continues due east until the junction with Hwy 23 at the hamlet of Crooked River. The Hwy 23 concurrency is 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) in a north north east direction. At the end of the concurrency Hwy 3 continues due east.[1] The hamlet of Peesane is located at the beginning of the Hwy 679 concurrency which is 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi) in length.[1] Mistatim a village which is Proud of its Past ..... and Planning for its Future, has an economy based on agricultural mixed farming, hunting trapping and forestry.[37] Mistatim is located south of the Pasquia Forest Reserve, and north of the Porcupine Forest Reserve.[38] The EDEN Regional Economic Development Authority (REDA) encourages tourism, investment, economic and recreational activities in the area.[39]

Hwy 3 continues south east from Mistatim for 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) then turns due east for 39.5 kilometres (24.5 mi) when there is a short stretch traveling north east. Prairie River of the Porcupine No. 395 RM lies to the north of this stretch of highway. Hwy 3 travelling east arrives at the junction of Hwy 9 at Hudson Bay. The Hwy 9 concurrency around the north west edge of the town is 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long.[1] Hudson Bay is Moose Capital of the World due to the high presence of moose. At this site were a Hudson's Bay Company Upper Red Deer post, North West Company Upper Red Deer post. The Rendek Elm Forest is located north and the Hudson Bay Regional Park is located south of Hwy 3. Forestry is a main concern of the area served by Wizewood – MacMillan Bloedel – Weyerhaeuser for years.[40][41][42] The highway continues east as Highway 77 after the Manitoba – Saskatchewan border.

CanAm Highway edit

The North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA super corridor CanAm Highway travels along U.S. Route 85 connecting Mexico to Canada. The CanAm highway in Canada comprises Saskatchewan Highways 35, 39, 6, 3, and 2. The total length of the CanAm highway is 4,122 kilometres (2,561 mi), of which Hwy 3 contributes a 97.8 miles (157.4 km) segment length.[5] The route designated as CanAm in the 1920s continues south in Mexico as Mexican Federal Highway 45, and north as SK 102 but are not labelled the CanAm highway.[5][43]

Major intersections edit

From west to east:

Rural municipalityLocationkm[1]miDestinationsNotes
Brittania No. 5020.00.0  Hwy 45 west – Marwayne, Two Hills
   Hwy 17 – Onion Lake, Lloydminster
Continues as Hwy 45 into Alberta
24.415.2 
 
Hwy 684 south – Waseca
↑ / ↓26.216.3Crosses the North Saskatchewan River
Frenchman Butte No. 50128.217.5 
 
Hwy 797 north – Frenchman Butte
Paradise Hill38.924.2  Hwy 21 north – PiercelandWest end of Hwy 21 concurrency
49.030.4  Hwy 21 south – MaidstoneEast end of Hwy 21 concurrency
56.335.0  Hwy 26 north – St. Walburg, Loon LakeWest end of Hwy 26 concurrency
Mervin No. 499Spruce Lake66.541.3 
 
Hwy 796 east
Turtleford85.453.1  Hwy 26 south – The BattlefordsEast end of Hwy 26 concurrency
Parkdale No. 498105.365.4 
 
Hwy 795 north – Livelong, Turtle Lake
115.071.5 
 
Hwy 697 south – Longhope
Glaslyn131.781.8  Hwy 4 north – Meadow LakeWest end of Hwy 4 concurrency
132.082.0  Hwy 4 south – The BattlefordsEast end of Hwy 4 concurrency
Medstead No. 497150.293.3 
 
Hwy 794 south – Medstead
Spiritwood No. 496175.1108.8 
 
Hwy 696 north
Spiritwood187.4116.4  Hwy 24 north – Leoville, Chitek Lake
187.7116.6  Hwy 378 south – Rabbit Lake, The Battlefords
217.6135.2 
 
Hwy 695 north
Shell Lake219.2136.2  Hwy 12 south – Blaine Lake, Saskatoon
Canwood No. 494253.5157.5 
 
Hwy 694 north – Canwood
South of Ordale
Shellbrook No. 493264.9164.6  Hwy 40 west – Blaine Lake, The Battlefords
Shellbrook268.6166.9  Hwy 55 west (NWRR) – Meadow LakeWest end of Hwy 55 concurrency
Holbein281.3174.8 
 
Hwy 693 north – Sturgeon Valley
Buckland No. 491
No major junctions
City of Prince Albert310.8193.1   Hwy 2 north – Prince Albert National Park, La Ronge
  Hwy 55 east (NWRR) – Nipawin
  CanAm Highway west end
Interchange; east end of Hwy 55 concurrency; west end of Hwy 2 concurrency
311.6193.6  To Hwy 55 east (Riverside Drive) – NipawinInterchange, northbound entrance and exit; northbound access to Hwy 55 east
311.6–
312.0
193.6–
193.9
Diefenbaker Bridge across North Saskatchewan River
312.0193.9River StreetGrade separated; southbound exit only
312.5194.2  15th Street W (Hwy 302 west)
  2nd Avenue W (Hwy 2 south) to Hwy 11 – Moose Jaw, Saskatoon
East end of Hwy 2 concurrency; west end of Hwy 302 concurrency
314.0195.1  15th Street E (Hwy 302 east) / 6th Avenue EWest end of Hwy 302 concurrency
316.1196.4Marquis RoadAlternate route to Hwy 2 / Hwy 11
Prince Albert No. 461
No major junctions
↑ / ↓Muskoday First Nation336.0208.8Muskoday Bridge across South Saskatchewan River
Birch Hills No. 460337.6209.8 
 
Hwy 789 west
Birch Hills350.5217.8  Hwy 25 west – St. Louis
353.3219.5  Hwy 20 south – Humboldt
Kinistino No. 459367.8228.5 
 
  Hwy 682 north – Weldon, Weldon Ferry
West end of Hwy 682 concurrency
Kinistino377.3234.4 
 
Hwy 778 west
West end of Hwy 778 concurrency
377.8234.8 
 
Hwy 778 east / Hwy 682 south – Meskanaw
East end of Hwy 682 / Hwy 778 concurrency
Flett's Springs No. 429Beatty393.2244.3  Hwy 368 south – St. Brieux
405.3251.8  Hwy 41A south to Hwy 41 – Saskatoon
City of Melfort407.0252.9  Broadway Avenue (Hwy 6 north) – ChoicelandWest end of Hwy 6 concurrency
410.3254.9  Hwy 41 west – Saskatoon
   Hwy 6 south – Regina
  CanAm Highway east end; east end of Hwy 6 concurrency
Star City No. 428428.2266.1 
 
Hwy 681 – Star City
Tisdale No. 427Tisdale446.9277.7  Hwy 35 – Nipawin, Wadena
Bjorkdale No. 426Crooked River468.2290.9  Hwy 23 south – Porcupine PlainWest end of Hwy 23 concurrency
471.5293.0  Hwy 23 north – Carrot RiverEast end of Hwy 23 concurrency
503.6312.9 
 
Hwy 678 south – Porcupine Plain
Porcupine No. 395521.4324.0 
 
Hwy 677 south / Prairie River Access Road – Carragana
Hudson Bay No. 394Hudson Bay562.1349.3  Hwy 9 south – Preeceville, YorktonWest end of Hwy 9 concurrency
565.7351.5  Hwy 9 north – The PasWest end of Hwy 9 concurrency
Armit604.7375.7  Hwy 980 south – Elbow Lake, Arran
612.0380.3  PTH 77 east – Baden, Swan RiverContinues into Manitoba
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Google (9 February 2018). "Highway 3 in Saskatchewan" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  2. ^ "TYPE ADMN_CLASS TOLL_RD RTE_NUM1 RTE_NUM2 ROUTE 1 Gravel ..." Government of Canada. Retrieved 17 February 2008.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Stewart, Iain (2006). "Highway Network". The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. CANADIAN PLAINS RESEARCH CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF REGINA. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
  4. ^ Macdonald, Julian (1999–2003). "Provincial Highways @ Saskatchewan Highways Website". Archived from the original on February 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  5. ^ a b c "Western Canada Group Travel Planner: Getting to Western Canada". 1999–2003. Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  6. ^ Scott, Geoffrey A. J. (1995). Canada's Vegetation: A World Perspective (Digitized online by Google books) (illustrated ed.). McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. pp. 129–156. ISBN 9780773512405. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  7. ^ Coupland, R.T. (1969). "Physical Features". In J.H. Richards; K.I. Fung (eds.). Atlas of Saskatchewan. J.S. Rowe. Saskatoon, SK, CA: University of Saskatchewan. pp. 42–43.
  8. ^ "Britannia No. 50". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  9. ^ a b "Frenchman Butte No. 501". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  10. ^ "Paradise Hill". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  11. ^ Thorpe, J. (1999). "Natural Vegetation". In Kai-iu Fung; Bill Barry; Wilson, Michael (eds.). Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium (Millennium ed.). Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan. pp. 132–138. ISBN 0-88880-387-7.
  12. ^ "Turtleford". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  13. ^ "Ernie – Canada's Largest Turtle – Turtleford, Saskatchewan". Roadside Attractions. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  14. ^ a b c "Saskatchewan Road Map RV Travel Guide: #3 Town of Turtleford to city of Prince Albert". Mile By Mile Media. 2007. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  15. ^ "Village of Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, Canada". 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  16. ^ "Glaslyn". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Community Profiles from the 2006 Census". Statistics Canada. Government of Canada. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  18. ^ "Spiritwood". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  19. ^ "Town of Spiritwood community profile". 2008. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  20. ^ Thorpe, J. (1999). "Physical Features of Saskatchewan". In Kai-iu Fung; Bill Barry; Wilson, Michael (eds.). Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium (Millennium ed.). Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan. pp. 40–41. ISBN 0-88880-387-7.
  21. ^ "Shellbrook". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  22. ^ "Shellbrook". 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  23. ^ "Prince Albert". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  24. ^ "City of Prince Albert". 2008. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  25. ^ "Birch Hills". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  26. ^ "Town of Birch Hills". 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  27. ^ "Prince Albert". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  28. ^ "Kinistino No. 459". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  29. ^ "SCAPE The Project". Brandon University. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  30. ^ "RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF KINISTINO NO. 459". Town of Kinistino. 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2009.[dead link]
  31. ^ "Beatty". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  32. ^ "Melfort". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  33. ^ "City of Melfort". 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  34. ^ "Valparaiso". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  35. ^ "Tisdale". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  36. ^ "Town of Tisdale". 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  37. ^ "Mistatim". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  38. ^ Mistatim and Districts History Book Committee (1983). From forest to field, 1903–1983 : Mistatim and districts. Humboldt: Humboldt Publishing Limited. ISBN 0-919745-10-5. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
  39. ^ "EDEN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FORMED – Government of Saskatchewan". November 16, 1995. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010.
  40. ^ "Hudson Bay". Sask Biz. Government of Saskatchewan. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  41. ^ "Town of Hudson Bay". 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  42. ^ Kai-iu Fung; Bill Barry; Wilson, Michael, eds. (1999). "Trading Posts Pre 1759 Post 1930". Atlas of Saskatchewan Celebrating the Millennium (Millennium ed.). Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-88880-387-7.
  43. ^ "'Super corridor' theories simply updated old idea". The StarPhoenix. August 28, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2008.

External links edit

KML is from Wikidata
Preceded by   CanAm Highway
Hwy 3
Succeeded by