Highway 34 is a paved, undivided provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It runs from Highway 13 about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of Ogema south to the US border. The highway used to connect to Montana Secondary Highway 511 at the Port of Big Beaver, however the port is now closed.[2] Highway 34 is in the south-central part of Saskatchewan and travels through a geographical area of rugged badlands, rolling hills, and open prairie. It is about 62 kilometres (39 mi) long.
.svg) Highway 34 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure | ||||
| Length | 62.3 km[1] (38.7 mi) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end |  Canada-US border (S-511) at Port of Big Beaver (closed) | |||
 Highway 18 at Big Beaver | ||||
| North end |  Highway 13 west of Ogema | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | Canada | |||
| Province | Saskatchewan | |||
| Rural municipalities | Happy Valley, Bengough, Key West | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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Route description
editHighway 34 begins at the now closed U.S. border crossing of Big Beaver. The Canadian government closed the port to northbound traffic in 2011 while the U.S. closed it to southbound traffic in 2013.[3] From the U.S. border, Highway 34 heads north across West Beaver Creek en route to meet Highway 18 near Big Beaver.[4][5] About 17 kilometres (11 mi) north of the intersection with Highway 18 is the access road to Castle Butte. From there, Highway 34 drops into and traverses the Big Muddy Valley. Coming out on the north side of the valley, the highway continues in a northerly direction where it meets Highway 705 about 5 kilometres (3 mi) south of Bengough.[6] Highway 34 has a 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) concurrency with Highway 705 before it splits off to the east on the north side of Bengough. From that concurrency, Highway 34 heads straight north for another 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) until it ends at Highway 13. Highway 334 carries on north from the end of 34.[7]
Major attractions
editNotable parks and other attractions accessible from Highway 34 include:
- Big Beaver Regional Park is a small park with camping and picnicking facilities at Big Beaver on the west side of Highway 34 near the intersection with Highway 18.[8]
- Highway 34 passes through the Big Muddy Badlands, which is a 55-kilometre (34 mi) long, 3.2-kilometre (2.0 mi) wide, and 160-metre (520 ft) deep valley of erosion and sandstone along Big Muddy Creek.[9] Big Muddy Lake is downstream along Big Muddy Creek and east of Highway 34.[10] Castle Butte, an outcrop of sandstone and compressed clay that protrudes 60 metres (200 ft) above the flat prairie, is to the west of the highway.[11][12]
- Bengough Regional Park is on the west side of Highway 34 adjacent to Bengough. The park has a campground, ball diamonds, horseshoe pitches, a cook shack, swimming pool, paddle pool and whirlpool, and a golf course.[13]
- Willow Bunch Lake is to west of Highway 34.
Major intersections
editFrom south to north:
| Rural municipality | Location | km | mi | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Valley No. 10 | | 0.0 | 0.0 | S-511 (no access) | Port of entry permanently closed |
| Canada–United States border at Port of Big Beaver | |||||
| Big Beaver | 10.3 | 6.4 | Highway 18 – Coronach, Minton | ||
| Bengough No. 40 | | 39.9 | 24.8 |   Highway 705 west – Harptree | South end of Hwy 705 concurrency |
| Bengough | 46.4 | 28.8 |  Highway 624 east – Viceroy Highway 705 east – Colgate | North end of Hwy 705 concurrency | |
| Key West No. 70 | | 62.3 | 38.7 | Highway 13 (Red Coat Trail) – Assiniboia, Weyburn Highway 334 north – Avonlea | |
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Highway 34 in Saskatchewan" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "Whitetail/Big Beaver Border Crossing, Montana". The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ CBP (January 25, 2013). "CBP Announces Closure of Port of Whitetail, Montana". U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Washington: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "South - Big Beaver - Hwys 18, 34". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Big Beaver". Aust's General Store. Archived from the original on 11 January 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- ^ "South - Bengough - Hwy 34". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Adamson, J (16 January 2005). "Canadian Maps: January 1925 Waghorn's Guide. Post Offices in Man. Sask. Alta. and West Ontario". Retrieved 26 December 2007.
- ^ "Big Beaver Regional Park". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Virtual Saskatchewan - The Big Muddy Badlands". 1997–2007.
- ^ Richards, J.H. (1969). "Saskatchewan: Atlas of Saskatchewan". Saskatoon: Modern Press.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Castle Butte". Tourism Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Virtual Saskatchewan - The Big Muddy Badlands". 1997–2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
- ^ "Bengough & District". Reginal Parks of Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan Regional Parks. Retrieved 18 July 2024.