REGINA – Regina City Council is considering a provincial proposal that would see the city partially pay for two bypass interchanges that are part of the Regina Bypass project.
Council voted in support of negotiating a cost-sharing agreement with the province at Monday night’s council meeting, with the exception of Councillor Sharron Bryce. She’s skeptical of chipping into the provincial project.
“I think it’s a slippery slope,” she said. “The province wants us to help fund this and I don’t think it’s a priority for us at this time. We may need it in the future, but that’s why we do planning.”
According to a report presented to council Monday, the provincial government is proposing the city contribute more than 35 per cent of the cost for the two interchanges located at 9th Avenue North, and Hill Avenue.
The final cost of the project will be determined through the province’s P3 (public-private partnership) process, but under the proposal the city would contribute a total of $23,377,499 of the total $66,000,001 cost.
“Although the project will be substantially funded by the Province, contributions are being sought from affected municipalities where the proposed Bypass will intersect and provide direct access to municipal roadways,” states the report.
The city recognized there is no immediate need for the proposed interchanges, but said there could be a need in the future.
“In the big picture this is about growth of not just Regina, but southern Saskatchewan,” said Mayor Michael Fougere.
The proposal would also see the RM of Sherwood contribute $9,739,399 to the new interchanges.
Construction on the Regina bypass is expected to begin this summer and completed by the fall of 2018.
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