Highway 51 is approximately 155 kilometres (96 mi) long.

In 1999, the thin membrane surface section of Highway 51 east of Kerrobert was tested with a Cold in-place recycling or "CIR" method to rehabilitate highways.

This CIR process is a cost-effective method which recycles the top surface of a road.

This pulverized material is mixed with asphalt emulsion and spread and compacted back onto the highway surface.

This surface is then recovered with a new seal dependent on traffic volume.