Pamela Roth; Regina Leader-Post

A pair of well-used roads in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood are poised to get a much-needed facelift this spring.

Following a string of phone calls from Sherwood residents to their local MLA, the federal and provincial governments announced Monday $1.9 million in funding to support road construction in the municipality, which surrounds Regina.

The funds will be used specifically to upgrade Inland Drive and Tower Road, which are both used heavily as bypass routes on the city's east side.

Ron Hilton, interim municipal manager, said the condition of the roads has deteriorated so much that, at times, they have become impassible. "It's been a high priority for the rural municipality," said Hilton. "We were hoping to get this funding, but these aren't the only two roads where it's needed."

The federal government is providing $116 million in funding for 150 provincial projects, such as highway and local road improvements, through a new $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF). The funding is available for projects that can be completed by the end of March 2011.

The additional funds will help create jobs and boost the economy in these communities, which is the goal of the federal government's Economic Action Plan, added Palliser MP Ray Boughen.

"This infrastructure will contribute to our quality of life, as well as help to boost our regional economy now and for years to come," he said.

So far, Ottawa has allocated $12 billion to its Economic Action Plan. Phase two of the plan will be unveiled during this week's budget.