REGINA – Business owners made their voices heard to city council, saying the closure of the Eastgate Bridge would adversely affect their operations by cutting them off from westbound traffic. The city admitted that they made a mistake in not making it clear that the expansion of Victoria Avenue would result in the closure of a portion of Eastgate Drive near Coleman Crescent.
A special consultation meeting was held on Monday, and the results were presented to council on Thursday. Following a unanimous vote the businesses and city have reached a $1.5 million compromise in the form of a temporary bridge.
“Ultimately the administration worked together with us on a temporary solution and hopefully now to move in consultation and accord with the city administration to the next step, a more long term solution,” said Creekside Pub owner Kevin Kachus.
The temporary bridge will be paid for with money from the city’s reserve funds.
As for a permanent solution, stakeholders and administration aim to have an idea drafted in the spring, which will then be presented to council.
In the meantime work is expected to begin on the temporary fix soon.
“We’re going to close Eastgate Drive for four days, and we will quickly install that temporary bridge,” said Mayor Michael Fougere. “But we want to make sure before we close the bridge we finish off the construction on Victoria Avenue.”
The temporary closure of Eastgate Drive at Coleman Crescent begins at 6 p.m. on Friday. This will allow crews to complete the work on the right-in/right-out access on Eastgate Drive.
Kachus said that he is confident that his fellow business owners and the city will be able to work together and come up with a solution all parties can agree on.
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