Saskatchewan Highway 3

Alberta border to Prince Albert

Beginning at the border, Highway 3 travels east for about 26 kilometres (16 mi) to the North Saskatchewan River. En route to the river, the highway passes the Fort Pitt Trail marker and intersects Highway 684. It then crosses the North Saskatchewan River via the Deer Creek Bridge. Continuing east, the highway intersects Highway 797 (which leads to Fort Pitt Provincial Park and Battle of Frenchman's Butte national historic site), crosses the Monnery River, provides access to the village of Paradise Hill, and intersects Highway 21. At the entrance to Paradise Hill, there is the Giant Ox & Cart, which commemorates the historic Carlton Trail that ran through the area.^[7] Highway 21 leads north to the Bronson Forest Recreation Site. Highway 3 and 21 then begin a 10.1-kilometre (6.3 mi) long eastbound concurrency. At the end of the concurrency, 21 turns south and 3 turns to the north-east. After travelling a further 7.3 kilometres (4.5 mi), Highway 3 comes to a stop sign at the intersection with Highway 26. A short distance north on 26 is the town of St. Walburg. Highways 3 and 26 then begin a 29-kilometre (18 mi) long concurrency that heads south-east. Along this concurrency are the communities of Spruce Lake and Cleeves. There is also an intersection with Highway 796. The concurrency ends just after the highway crosses the Turtlelake River on the north side of the town of Turtleford.^[8] Turtleford is home to the roadside attraction Ernie the Turtle, which is the "largest and friendliest turtle" in Canada.^[9][10] Highway 26 continues into Turtleford while 3 turns north and follows the Turtlelake River for almost 4 kilometres (2.5 mi). It then turns east and heads for Fairholme. Along the way, it goes through a coulee and intersects Highway 795 (which leads to Livelong and the communities around Turtle Lake) and Highway 697. At Fairholme, Highway 3 turns to the south-east, provides access to East Anglia, and meets the north–south Highway 4 just north of Glaslyn. Highways 3 and 4 have a 1.6-kilometre (1 mi) long concurrency that runs alongside Glaslyn. At the end of the concurrency, Highway 4 continues south while 3 resumes its easterly heading.^[11]

Heading east from Glaslyn, Highway 3 travels for 55 kilometres (34 mi) en route to Spiritwood.^[12] Just east of Glaslyn, the highway provides access to Little Loon Regional Park.^[13] As it nears Spiritwood, it passes through Belbutte, intersects Highway 696, and passes just south of Witchekan Lake. Highway 3 then runs along the northern edge of Spiritwood where it intersects Highway 24 at its southern terminus^[14] and Highway 378 at its northern terminus.

Heading east from Spiritwood, Highway 3 travels through rolling hills, farmland, and forest through a landscape marked by potholes. It provides access to Mildred, Amiens, Shell Lake,^[15] and Memorial Lake Regional Park.^[16] At Shell Lake, it intersects Highway 695 and Highway 12. It then crosses the Shell River and rounds the southern shore of Memorial Lake. The highway then continues east to Mont Nebo and Shellbrook. About 3.2 kilometres (2 mi) west of Shellbrook, Highway 3 intersects the northern terminus of Highway 40. Highway 3 runs along the northern edge of Shellbrook where it meets, and then begins, a roughly 43-kilometre (27 mi) long eastbound concurrency with Highway 55 that ends in Prince Albert. From Shellbrook to Prince Albert, the highway approaches the North Saskatchewan River, crosses the Sturgeon River via the Shell River Bridge, and provides access to the communities of Holbein and Crutwell. From the Shell River Bridge east to Prince Albert, Highway 3 is four lanes. This concurrency with Highway 55 is part of the Northern Woods and Water Route.

Prince Albert

Highway 3 approaches the city of Prince Albert from the north side of the North Saskatchewan River. It meets the north–south Highway 2 at an interchange where they begin a southbound concurrency across the river via the Diefenbaker Bridge and into the city.^[17] The CanAm Highway portion of Highway 3 begins at the intersection with Highway 2 and continues for 96.1 kilometres (59.7 mi) until the city of Melfort.

Once across the river, the highway becomes 2nd Avenue West. On the east side of the highway, is the Mann Art Gallery^[18] and Gateway Mall.^[19] Less than 500 metres (1,600 ft) across the river, Highway 3 turns east onto 15th Street East (which is also Highway 302). Highway 2 continues south along 2nd Avenue West. Highway 3 travels east for about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) to 6th Avenue East. On the north side of the highway is downtown and to the south are the railyards. Once Highway 3 reaches 6th Avenue East, it turns south. It passes through residential, commercial, and light industrial for about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi). After which, the highway gradually bends to the south-east and leaves the city.

Prince Albert to Melfort

Highway 3 leaves Prince Albert at the city's southern end and heads south-east past Fairview Fairways^[20] towards Davis. The highway then enters the Muskoday Indian reserve and crosses the South Saskatchewan River via the Muskoday Bridge. On the east side of the river, it intersects Highway 789 and turns south-east. Leaving the reserve, the highway turns south towards the town of Birch Hills.^[21] As the highway approaches the town, it turns east and intersects the northern terminus of Highway 25. A further 2.8 kilometres (1.7 mi) past Highway 25 junction, Highway 3 meets the northern terminus of Highway 20. Continuing east, the highway passes by the communities of Brancepeth and Weldon.^[22] Weldon is accessed from Highway 682. A short distance from Highway 682, Highway 3 turns to the south-east where about 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) later, it enters the town of Kinistino and intersects Highway 778 in the Carrot River valley.^[23] The highway then heads east-southeast for about 29 kilometres (18 mi) to Highway 6 in the city of Melfort. Along the way, it intersects Highway 368 at Beatty.

Highway 3 enters the city of Melfort as Saskatchewan Drive West. At Broadway Avenue, it intersects, and begins a 3.3-kilometre (2.1 mi) long concurrency with, the north–south Highway 6. The highway continues as Saskatchewan Drive West until Main Street, at which point it becomes Saskatchewan Drive East. At the intersection with Star City Road, the highway turns south past Melfort Golf and Country Club^[24] and follows Saskatchewan Drive South to the southern end of the city. At an intersection at the southern edge of Melfort, Highway 3 leaves the CanAm Highway and turns east. Highway 6 and the CanAm continue south. Westbound at this intersection is Highway 41.^[25]

Melfort to the Manitoba border

Highway 3 heads straight east from Melfort to Tisdale.^[26] En route, it intersects Highway 681 (access to Star City) and passes just south of Valparaiso. As the highway enters the south-west corner of Tisdale, it provides access to Tisdale Airport (via Heritage Road).^[27] It then skirts through the southern part of town as 93rd Avenue running through commercial and light industrial neighbourhoods and intersecting the north–south Highway 35. As the highway exits Tisdale, it crosses the Doghide River and runs past Kinsmen McKay Park.^[28] Highway 3 then continues east for a further 21 kilometres (13 mi) to Highway 23. Highways 3 and 23 then begin a northbound 3.3-kilometre (2.1 mi) long concurrency that crosses the Crooked River^[29] and runs past the village of Crooked River. At the end of the concurrency, 23 continues north while 3 resumes its easterly heading.

This final leg of Highway 3 takes it over the Manitoba Escarpment — which is a range of hills along the Saskatchewan–Manitoba border that was created by glacial scouring and formed the western shore of prehistoric Lake Agassiz — to the town of Hudson Bay. To the north of Highway 3 are the Pasquia Hills and to the south are the Porcupine Hills.^[30] The highway also follows the Red Deer River for part of its journey through the hills. Communities along this stretch include Peesane, Orley, Mistatim,^[31] Prairie River, Silas, Veillardville, Mutchler, and Hudson Bay. Intersecting highways include 678, 677, and 9.

Highway 3 enters the town of Hudson Bay from the west. Hudson Bay is the site of an historic trading post.^[32] Hudson Bay Regional Park, at the south end of town, commemorates the history of the area.^[33] Highway 3 meets Highway 9, the Saskota Flyway, on the western side of town.^[34] At that point, the two highways begin a 3.3-kilometre (2.1 mi) long concurrency that at first heads north then east. At the point where the highway turns east is the Hudson Bay train station, which is a flag stop along the Winnipeg–Churchill route.^[35] Heading east, the highway runs as Railway Avenue with the railway to the north and residential and commercial neighbourhoods to the south. At Albert Street, Highway 9 turns north leaving the concurrency while 3 continues east towards Manitoba.

About 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) east of Hudson Bay, Highway 3 crosses the Red Deer River and enters the community of Erwood. Erwood, like Hudson Bay, is the site of an historic fur trading post. Continuing east, Highway 3 intersects Highway 981 and runs through the community of Smoking Tent. Next, the highway intersects Highway 980 at Armit. About 6.8 kilometres (4.2 mi) east of Armit, Highway 3 crosses the Armit River. A further 500 metres (1,600 ft) later, Highway crosses into Manitoba and becomes Highway 77. Westgate, Manitoba is less than a mile east across the border.