Work Delayed Until 2024 On Highway 363 Slump
By Robert Thomas
The major roadwork on Highway 363 - 9th Avenue SW - won’t be happening this fall as the Department of Highways still has preparatory work to do on the project and concerns of historic graves in the vicinity.
At Monday afternoon’s regular Council meeting Councillor Crystal Froese asked about the progress of the work and the status of an open house because the project impacts the Wakamow Valley Authority.
In his response city engineer Bevan Harlton said the project is likely a no go due to graves in the vicinity of the roadway.
“We have been working with the Ministry (of Highways) to come up with a date for an open house to allow them to advance their project,” Harlton told Council.
Harlton said the delay in the work is due to concerns raised about historical graves in the area.
“They (Ministry of Highways) have since let us know they have found an archaeological area of interest on the west side of 9th Avenue SW,” he said.
The City told the Ministry of Highways about the graves earlier this year.
“This is something that City engineers and the Director of Parks actually notified the Ministry about in March so we were surprised to see this project was delayed at this late hour given our previous communication,” Harlton said.
Harlton said the City had yet to be formally informed about the project being delayed. Previously Council was informed it was suppose to happen this fall.
More Than Old Buffalo Bones
Although the City is unaware of the project’s status MJ Independent has learnt there will be no work until the next fiscal year.
In an August 29th statement to MJ Independent the Ministry said work will not happen this year.
The existence of potential gravesites in the work area is being looked at but also the tender for the work is not yet complete.
“The Ministry of Highways is finalizing the tender documents on the Highway 363 project (9th Avenue) and does not anticipate that any work will be completed until the next fiscal year,” the statement read.
Nearby unmarked graves are being taken into consideration while planning the project.
“Saskatchewan’s highway projects undergo detailed planning which includes geotechnical when necessary. The ministry will be conducting a thorough investigation of the site to ensure that the project does not adversely impact any grounds that are considered sensitive in the vicinity of the project,” the August 29th statement read.
Communities impacted will be consulted the Ministry said.
“Upon completion of the investigation, the ministry will maintain its close collaboration with the City of Moose Jaw and any potentially impacted communities. Subsequently, we will arrange a public engagement meeting to go through project details and address inquiries,” the statement continued.
“The ministry will continue to work with stakeholders in the community to ensure all sensitive areas are respected.”
A screenshot of the statement is below.
Screenshot of the Ministry of Highways August 29th statement
Through our research on the issue the exact location of gravesites in the area is still to be determined but one grave may have already been buried by the existing Highway 363 causeway.
The graves in question are those of Chief Black Bull - a subordinate chief of Chief Sitting Bull - as well as members of his group who came north to the Wakamow Valley.
The location of the graves is suspected to be west of the roadway but their exact location is unknown.
Chief Sitting Bull brought his followers to the Wakamow Valley to flee US forces after his victory over General George Custer in the Battle of The Little Big Horn in June 1876.
For the Lakota Sioux, who massacred Custer’s forces, the battle is known as the Battle of the Greasy Grass.
In our research over the summer months we found strong evidence to suggest the reason for the graves in the area was because the administration of the time would only allow them there. That administration was the predecessor for today’s City of Moose Jaw.