Highway 39 between Weyburn and Yellow Grass.

A group in the southeast was pleased with the announcement of federal funding going towards a highway twinning project, they just wish that it had been Highways 6 and 39.

Last week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced federal funds to twin Highway 7 near Saskatoon. The Time to Twin group has been lobbying for Highways 6 and 39 to be twinned for years and were surprised by the announcement.

"We're always happy to hear when any improvements are made because it'll save lives in Saskatchewan," said Time to Twin Co-Chair Marge Young. "We feel eventually that the money will be thrown our way, it's just a matter of having to wait until that happens."

Young said between 2002 and 2013, 55 people have been killed on Highways 6 and 39. They are major trucking routes to the U.S. border.

The Ministry of Highways in looking for public input on the matter and has several open houses planned in the southeast, with one in Weyburn on April 1 at the Travelodge Hotel from 5 to 8 p.m. There are also open houses planned in Milestone on March 31, and one in Midale on April 2.