11th Avenue revitalization being re-evaluated due to cost

Just a few months ago, the City of Regina was touting the new revitalization of 11th Avenue in the downtown, but now sticker shock has the city re-evaluating.

This summer, the city was supposed to start a project that would see almost a total revamp of the 11th Avenue corridor through the heart of downtown – new pavement, sidewalks, lighting, traffic signals, bus shelters and amenities to beautify the area like benches and planters.

In April, Chris Warren, director of roadways and transportation with the City of Regina, explained that the infrastructure work to be done was needed and the project had been planned for several years.

“It’s just one of those things where we’re working hard to both upgrade our infrastructure where it’s needed and where it’s required, as well as bringing some vibrancy back to those locations,” he said at the time.

The project was supposed to start at Broad Street and shut down a few blocks of the road each summer until 2026 when the section leading up to Albert Street would be done.

The section next to Broad Street was blocked off this summer, but the only thing done was the underground infrastructure replacement, like phone and power lines.

According to the City of Regina, the cost of the work came back higher than the approved budget so the tenders that had been put out were cancelled and the city is going to re-evaluate the cost and scope of the work. However, the plan is still to have the project finished in 2026.

Over the last week or so, city crews have been spreading asphalt on sidewalks and streets in the area to shore them up and make them safe for winter.