It was a step forward for public transit in Regina, as the city, along with the provincial and federal government, announced the start of construction on a new transit fleet maintenance facility in an official sod-turning event this morning.
The $30.1 million project will be attached to the existing transit operation centre at 333 Winnipeg Street and will replace the current facility on Albert Street, which is nearly 70-years-old and was built to repair street cars.
“This is big news for Regina residents. This is going to save a lot of money in terms of how we deliver transit service, being more efficient in repairing a transit fleet,” Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said.
The new 60,000-square-foot building will help improve operational efficiency by shifting maintenance between the two locations and is expected to save more than 3,000 hours per year now spent transporting buses back and forth.
“It’s based on industry-best practices for maintenance facilities. Everything from the number of bays, which is about double the amount of service bays, to efficient fluid distribution systems, to in-ground hoists,” Jill Hargrove, City of Regina’s director of facilities management, said.
“The entire facility is designed to help maintenance staff to work more efficiently.”
The new space will include both 40 and 60-foot full-service and repair bays, complete with hoists.
Through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects, the provincial and federal government will contribute up to $9,716,666 each, while the City of Regina will commit $10,666,668 and any other remaining costs.
“It will help to make the transit service more attractive in the city and it will add jobs in the construction phase and it will improve the capacity of the City of Regina to respond to the needs of a growing community,” Ralph Goodale, Public Safety Minister, said.
Construction is expected to be complete in 2020.
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