159 projects completed by midway mark of City of Regina’s 2023 construction season

The City of Regina says it’s slightly ahead of schedule at the midway point of its 2023 construction season.

Since the end of July, 159 projects have been checked off Regina’s list of to-dos on its $113-million construction budget.

“We are in the middle of another very busy construction season,” Kurtis Doney, the city’s acting executive director of citizen services, said during a media conference Wednesday.

The residential road renewal program has completed 8.5 kilometres of local road upgrades. The street infrastructure renewal program has completed 10.1 kilometres of major road upgrades.

Doney said the McCarthy Boulevard project is a great example of “the full road renewal project that is progressing very well. It’s on time, and on budget.”

The Albert Street and McCarthy Boulevard renewal projects are two major roadway projects expected to be done by mid-September.

In early July, the Lewvan Drive construction project was completed five weeks ahead of schedule.

“That is an example that does have some short-term pain for some — definitely some long-term pain — but definitely improved the drivability for everyone,” said Doney.

Sewer, storm and drinking water systems have all been focused on this year. To date, 1.8 kilometres of water mains have been replaced, and 3.1 kilometres of sewer and 2.5 kilometres of water mains have been relined. The Broad Street cast iron pipe replacement was completed in early July.

Some multiyear projects are going to be hovering over Regina for a while. Those include the eastern pressure solution and the northeast drainage project.

Other unexpected projects included a storm trunk collapse near Wascana Park by the Albert Street bridge in June.

The city created a temporary water bypass system until the long-term solutions can be put in place. Construction on the temporary solution finished in early July.

“That work is ongoing and we have a temporary system in place, and we are working on a long-term solution,” said Doney.

Doney said the long-term solution blueprints are still in progress, but will likely be a multiyear project in 2024 and 2025. The short-term costs of the replacement will be a part of the utility budget and the long-term costs will be budgeted accordingly.

The estimated cost of the short-term replacement was around $250,000, but no final costs had been tallied up. Doney said the city is keeping a close eye on the issue.

“The focus definitely has been on securing the area and making sure there is no impact on nearby residents and neighbours,” he said.

With back to school around the corner, five new flashing LED school zone signs, four curb-calming traffic locations, and 15 temporary and permanent drive feedback signs have been put into school zone and playground areas.

Doney understands that traffic due to construction can be frustrating, but is grateful that people took the opportunity follow construction zone limits.

“We thank everyone for their patience and to slow down in construction,” he said. “Please ensure to slow down (in) these construction zones and help ensure everyone’s safety.”

Construction on McCarthy Boulevard in August of 2023. (Kevin Martel/980 CJME)