Fougere understands citizens’ frustration with roadwork

Michael Fougere has a message for the citizens of Regina who faced a litany of traffic issues due to construction this summer.

“Thanks for the patience,” Regina’s mayor said Tuesday. “I know that it’s difficult when you’re trying to get to work or get your kids to hockey or baseball or football.

“These are all big issues and we understand that, but we have to get the work done.”

The City of Regina had a full season of roadwork, with a series of major projects around town.

There was a four-month project on Lewvan Drive which resulted in the creation of lane reversals — a first for the city — in hopes of easing traffic issues.

There was a lengthy project on Ring Road, with the bridges over Wascana Creek being redone.

Work also was done on Dewdney Avenue, Albert Street, Victoria Avenue, Ninth Avenue North and other major thoroughfares in the city through the summer and fall.

As well, there were repairs done on residential streets around the city during a busy construction season.

The mayor suggested things won’t be the same in 2020.

“We learned a lot this year because we realize that we put too many projects on at the same time and virtually every major street in the city was worked on,” Fougere said. “Lewvan, Albert Street, Ring Road (and) Elphinstone were all done at once and we realize we should not have done that.

“I do apologize for the way it came out. We’ll make sure we get it better next time.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick