Neck guard sales jump after Sask. hockey player slashed by skate
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The next step in relocating the rail tracks across Ring Road could get approved next week.
That is when council could green light the preliminary design phase of the project. If so, the city would hire consultants that would examine the pros and cons of the recommended solution: rerouting the tracks north of Regina.
The work would also provide an updated and more accurate estimate of the project cost, says a report to the city’s planning commission.
Preliminary design does not mean that either the city or the rail companies are bound to continue with the project, the report notes. “The outcomes are subject to the review and acceptance of the railways, permitting approvals and the approval of the necessary funds to realize the initiative,” it states.
Speaking to the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Thursday, Mayor Sandra Masters said there would be more discussions after that.
“When that’s done, we go to the rail companies and we say, ‘would this work? Does this work?” Masters said. “A yay or nay from them and then it comes back to the city.”
The cost of relocating the tracks has been estimated at $107 million, which would cover pre-construction activities like permitting, engineering and acquiring land; also, the construction work.
However, administration’s report to the commission puts that figure in question.
“Given the limited investigation completed to develop the concept, this cost estimate has a level of accuracy of -30 per cent to +50 per cent. The cost estimate is in 2018 dollars and is subject to inflation.”
Council has set aside $2 million for preliminary design. Consulting and professional services are expected to cost more than $750,000. Any unspent funds would be carried forward later in the project or put back to reserves.