Completion of Regina bypass one year away

In just one more year, the Regina bypass will be complete.

According to the latest construction update, the largest transportation project in Saskatchewan’s history is 90 per cent complete and should be done by October 2019.

Some of the remaining work includes bridges, signs and paving, said Brent Miller, director of major projects for the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.

Miller said work that isn’t weather dependent will continue over the winter, like installing light poles, fencing and guardrails.

Parts of the bypass are expected to reopen soon.

“Our focus this year has been around Highway 6 … our twinning should be complete and open, hopefully in the next two weeks,” said Garrett Doyle, director of Regina Bypass Project Builders.

“Dewdney Avenue was closed about a month ago. That will reopen by probably within the next two weeks.”

Once complete, the bypass will allow drivers on Highway 1 coming from east of Regina to continue heading west around the city.

The $1.88-billion project is meant to improve safety in response to population growth east of the city, which has increased commuter and commercial traffic.

“There were level-grade intersections at Balgonie, White City, Pilot Butte access. As a result of these level crossings, there were fatalities and serious injuries that were happening on Highway 1,” Miller said.

“Now, with the (first phase) of the bypass completed, we have grade-separated interchanges to replace these level intersections, which has eliminated the fatals and injuries on Highway 1 east.”

As well, he estimates 70 per cent of truck traffic will be diverted from Highway 1 and Victoria Avenue.