While some may have already noticed delays in their commute, the City of Regina officially kicked off its construction season on Tuesday.
Kurtis Doney, the deputy city manager of city operations, said Regina is spending $282 million on construction work this year.
“This funding is made up of some new funding from the 2024 budget and some carry forward from future budgets,” he said.
“It’s a significant portion of the overall capital budget we are investing in our infrastructure.”
Doney said there are a couple of major, multi-year projects already underway, including the revitalization of Dewdney Avenue and the second year of the Water Network Expansion Project.
READ MORE:
- Construction set to begin on Dewdney Avenue project in Regina
- Details of Dewdney Avenue Corridor Revitalization Project revealed at open house
- Bus stops along 11th Avenue moving as revitalization project resumes
“You’ve likely already seen construction crews along Ring Road. They are hard at work digging and laying almost 8.5 kilometres of water pipes,” he said. “These pipes, along with a new water pumping station and the storage reservoir, will deliver deliver clean drinking water to current and future residents.”
Doney explained that significant traffic restrictions are expected, particularly when crews are doing underground and surface work along Dewdney Ave.
“Dewdney is a prime example, where we phase it over two years to focus on the underground on phase one and then the above (ground) infrastructure on phase 2.”
Meanwhile, Doney said the work to completely re-do 11th Avenue is expected to get underway early May.
“This is the second year of the construction project, and is about to start. You’ll see many updates on this project from SaskPower and SaskTel,” Doney explained. “SaskTel is leading most of the construction work in this phase of the project.”
Doney added that the city must take advantage of the short construction season.
“It’s really important to make sure we’re planning our construction projects to reduce the impact as much as possible, and to get as much done as we can in our construction season,” said Doney.
In a release, the city said residential road renewal is also a priority this year, with over $16.5 million dedicated to improving 16.5 kilometres of residential roads.