How construction may affect your Saskatchewan Day travels

Construction season is well underway and the provincial government has its foot on the gas.

The province put $6.3 billion dollars into provincial roads between 2008 and 2015.

The Highway 2020 Plan states that $1.15 billion will be invested into transportation infrastructure by the year 2020. That includes a $30 million surge this year, followed by $20 million each of the next two years. It was a Saskatchewan Party election promise, which is now in first gear.

But unfortunately, construction season coincides with vacation season. Sonja Orban is the communications consultant with the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure and she wants drivers to pack their patience this long weekend.

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“We have 39 projects happening across the province, a few of these do lead to lakes and travel destinations across the province,” she explained.

All current construction around the province can be found on the Highway Hotline. Orban suggested all drivers check updates before leaving the house and give themselves extra travel time.

Within Regina’s limits, it’s no different.

Eighteen million dollars worth of major municipal road work is expected this year, not including residential repairs.

The good news is that construction on Victoria Avenue east of Ring Road is expected to wrap up early to mid-next week.

Victoria Avenue on the west side of Ring Road toward Park Street is the next section to have delays. Norman Kyle, director of Roadways and Transportation for the City of Regina, said they expect all major delays on Victoria Avenue to end by August 10.

“We decided we would do the large section get it all done this year and then they won’t see us for several years,” Kyle said.

Major road repairs such as Victoria Avenue have a life expectancy of 10-15 years.

Kyle added that when possible, some crews are working 24 hours to finish road work, depending on noise bylaws and other restrictive regulations.

For a complete list of current and upcoming municipal road repairs you can visit the City of Regina’s Daily Road Report.