The Saskatchewan government says Regina-based Clifton Associates has been selected to begin engineering work on the multi-billion dollar Diefenbaker Expansion Project. Clifton’s work will encompass the Westside Irrigation Project with overall engineering preliminary design for Phases 1 and 2. This work is expected to take 12 to 18 months, which will include geotechnical, soil suitability, environmental consulting and consultations with First Nations and other stakeholders. The Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion project was announced last summer and includes expansion of the Westside Irrigation canal system, increasing potential irrigated land in Saskatchewan by 80 thousand acres. Phase two will further expand the Westside Irrigation project, adding 260 thousand acres of irrigable land.