Pilot Butte, Sask. overpass expected to be completed one year earlier

Pilot Butte, Sask. is set to get an overpass one year earlier than expected according to the province.

On Wednesday, the province said it now expects the Pilot Butte overpass to be completed in 2018.

“We understand how important this overpass is to people in the Pilot Butte area,” Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure Minister Heppner said.

“We are pleased to work with the bypass builders to open this overpass earlier than expected.”

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READ MORE: Traffic being re-routed in White City due to Regina Bypass project

The overpasses in Balgonie, White City and Tower Road will be completed in October 2017 because of extensive underground utilities in the area. The Pilot Butte overpass wasn’t expected to be completed until 2019 but the new plan will have construction completed by 2018.

“Whether people are regular commuters or only use the highway occasionally, today’s announcement is great news,” Pilot Butte Mayor Nat Ross said.

“We’ve been working with the ministry to address our safety concerns and we appreciate that they were able to find a way to get this overpass constructed sooner.”

The Regina Bypass project is the largest transportation project being done in Saskatchewan history. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion in and around Regina.