Regina bypass nears completion; on time for October opening

The end of the road is in sight for crews paving their way toward completion of the Regina Bypass project.

The $1.88-billion project is on time and on budget entering the final summer of construction before it fully opens in October.

The bypass is currently 95-per-cent complete with the final work being done along the long stretch from Highway 33 (Arcola Avenue) south of Regina and turning north toward Highway 11 along the west side of the city.

Crews are finishing the paving along with the work on bridges, including guardrail and curb installation, line-painting, and sign and light installation.

A view of the Regina Bypass interchange along Highway 1 west of Regina on May 9, 2019. (Andrew Shepherd/980 CJME)

“We’ve got some top lift paving that’s being installed between Arcola (Avenue) and Highway 6 right now with crews going to be moving up north closer to Highway 11 in the next few weeks,” said Chris Koop, project manager at Regina Bypass Design Builders.

Phase 1 of the bypass, which covered the stretch from Balgonie to Highway 33, opened in 2017. The stretch from Highway 33 to Highway 11 is expected to open in October, connecting the entire bypass.

Brent Miller, director of the Regina Bypass, said the major risks, including inclement weather, are now behind them.

“The thing about having a lot of the roadwork covered by asphalt pavement is that if we do have inclement weather, we’re able to respond or get back to work fairly quickly. All it takes is some sun and it dries up fairly quickly,” said Miller.

Miller said crews have been blessed with good weather, with a relatively early start to spring this year allowing them to get to work.

Once the entire bypass is connected and opened, it’s expected to ease the congestion along Victoria Avenue with the removal of most semis. They will no longer have to turn left onto Ring Road to continue to Moose Jaw and can instead take the bypass at a point further east, heading south from Tower Road.

Miller said drivers will also enjoy the options and flexibility the bypass offers to get from one end of the city to the other.

“It will improve travel times. You don’t have to worry about trains to contend with on the Ring Road,” said Miller.

Another big benefit of the bypass is improving safety, with the addition of several overpasses. Miller pointed to the Phase 1 stretch of the project east of Regina as an example, which has not seen any fatal crashes since it opened.

“That’s really satisfying knowing that this job has saved people’s lives,” said Miller.

As crews complete one final summer of construction, they’re reminding drivers to stay alert, slow down and watch for workers in construction zones.