Passing lanes are going to be built on Highway 10 between Balgonie and Fort Qu'Appelle. (Google Street View)

The Saskatchewan Highways Ministry is going to give two-kilometre-long passing lanes a try.

As part of the 2012-13 budget, the ministry plans to put at least three of the lanes on Highway 10 — which is single lane in both directions — between Balgonie and Fort Qu'Appelle.

The government is putting $3-million towards the design of the project, with the goal of improving traffic flow and reducing collisions.

With passing lanes, drivers who want to pass slower vehicles don't have to go into the oncoming lane. Twinned highways accomplish the same thing, but are much more expensive, according to the province.

"Twinning will usually reduce accidents by 35 per cent but passing lanes will reduce it by 25 per cent but for about 15 per cent of the cost," Highways Minister Jim Reiter said.

Designing and crushing gravel will take place this year and construction will begin in 2013. Reiter says more passing lanes could be in Saskatchewan's future.

The Highways and Infrastructure Ministry has a budget of about $581.5 million in the fiscal year that begins April 1.

Below: A selection of Highways Ministry projects for 2012-2013