Dewdney open for business despite ‘massive excavation’, city says

As work continues on the Dewdney Avenue revitalization project, Regina residents may have noticed an increase in traffic congestion due to its latest phase.

City crews are working on the underground sewer connection, which is eight metres into the ground.

The City of Regina announced that Albert Street would be closed between Eighth Avenue and Dewdney for a month. Dewdney will also be closed between Angus Street and McIntyre Street.

The city said the Warehouse District will still remain open for business during construction, which is on east Dewdney near Broad Street.

“It’s a really massive excavation,” said Carolyn Kalim, director of water, waste and environment to reporters on Wednesday.“Our contractor on site has the largest excavator they’ve ever used for a city project before.”

Dewdney’s revitalization is planned to be a two-year effort. Kalim said the work is about halfway done and next year’s efforts will involve the beautification of above-ground features like wider sidewalks, enhanced lighting and more pedestrian amenities.

Although the area isn’t totally closed off, some business owners on Dewdney have said all the pylons and traffic signs have made it harder to attract customers.

“It gives people the impression that Dewdney Avenue is simply off limits,” said Grant Frew of Bushwakker Brewpub last week. “We’ve even had some customers phone and ask if we were still open during the construction, which, of course, we certainly are.”

Mark Heise with Rebellion Brewing Company expressed similar concerns.

“It’s difficult to find,” Heise said. “Even just getting deliveries to the brewery, we’re taking four or five days extra of delays because the delivery people literally don’t know how to get there.”

Though Heise is still supportive of the revitalization as a whole.

Kalim said the city tried to do as much work as it could to mitigate these concerns in advance.

“We’re in regular communication with the Warehouse Business Improvement District and the businesses there accordingly,” she said. “We’ve also done some work to open up 120 stalls of parking just off of the road to give lots of access to new pedestrian connections there.”

She added that it was important for people to support the local businesses on Dewdney even as construction is underway.

Kalim said Dewdney and Albert will need to be fully closed on the third week of this phase as the last bit of work gets finished. As of now, drivers can still head southbound on Albert Street but Kalim said a full detour will be required when the time comes.

– With files from 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn