The Saskatchewan NDP is asking for the federal government’s help in advancing the construction of a road connecting the Cigar Lake and McArthur River uranium mines.

A letter was sent by Energy & Resources Shadow Minister Sally Housser, Northern Affairs Shadow Minister Jordan McPhail, and Highways & Infrastructure Shadow Minister Darcy Warrington to federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.

In the letter, the shadow ministers urge Ottawa to work with Saskatchewan to help move construction forward on the project.

The two uranium mines are less than 50 kilometres apart, but travelling between them currently requires more than 1,000 kilometres of driving on existing road networks.

The NDP claims the project would strengthen Canada’s energy security, support economic growth, attract investment and create jobs in Northern Saskatchewan if approved.