Regina’s mayor to look at ways around train tracks

The mayor of Regina is signalling changes could be on the way for a set of tracks in the city.

At the state of the city address Thursday, Mayor Michael Fougere announced he is launching a feasibility study for an overpass or underpass at the rail lines on Ring Road near Winnipeg Street.

“It is a problem we need to look at so the study will review the feasibility, the costing, the design, all those kinds of questions,” Fougere said. “It will look at what is feasible and practical at that location and it will look at our funding partners as well.”

Such a project would need the financial support from the provincial and federal governments.

The rail crossing on the Ring Road has long been an annoyance for Regina residents, not only because of it impedes the flow of traffic on the fastest moving and busiest road in the city, but the signals often come down at the most inconvenient time, like morning and afternoon rush hour.

There has been further inconvenience this past couple of weeks following a semi crash at the location. It damaged the signal lights and traffic restrictions have been in place ever since.

The feasibility study will likely be done by an outside company and Fougere would like to see it launched as quickly as possible.

“I am hoping in short order we will at least begin the discussion on the terms of the feasibility study,” Fougere explained.

It will likely be several months before any outcome is known.