Work on a nearly $18 million highway improvement project between Kipling and the junction of Highway 9 near Kennedy is in full swing.

Construction on the 25-kilometre stretch includes the installation of new culverts, excavation, widening of the road, grading and paving.

"An upgraded transportation link is important for the area to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and people and our ministry is committed to its completion," Highways and Infrastructure Minister Don McMorris said.

"Although we're often at the mercy of unpredictable weather, we hope the upgrade of Highway 48 will be complete in 2013."

The first section of the upgrade, five kilometres east of Wawota to the Highway 9 junction, is complete and approximately three kilometres of grading is at or near completion near Kipling with work proceeding toward Kennedy.

Motorists need to remember to slow to 60 km/hr when passing workers and equipment.

Also underway in southeast Saskatchewan is a resurfacing project on Highway 39 northwest of Halbrite.