On Thursday, it was announced that there will be $28.8 million in joint funding for improvements to the Winnipeg Street overpass at Ring Road in Regina.
Work will involve replacing the existing overpass with a new longer structure to the west, adding two connecting intersections along 9th Avenue North and realigning the diamond interchanges that connect to the north and south bound Ring Road.
Once the project is complete the new overpass will significantly improve connections among the city’s major arterial roads providing more efficient commutes for residents while supporting growth and development of Regina.
“The realignment and rebuilding of the Winnipeg Street overpass is a top priority for the City of Regina, and I thank the federal and provincial governments for funding this work,” said Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.
“This project addresses the need to replace infrastructure that is nearing the end of its life, and is also a common-sense change that creates a safer, more efficient transportation system overall.”
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be investing $9.6 million toward this Regina road project,” said Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding.
“The Ministry of Government Relations has committed more than $37 million in direct provincial infrastructure investments for key City of Regina projects in the last two years alone. We understand that investments like this are key in maintaining roads and infrastructure throughout the City of Regina, and we are proud to partner with the federal government and the city on this project.”
Fougere added that a design for the new overpass will be done next year, and construction is expected in 2020. The current overpass will remain open through construction of the replacement.
This project is independent of the city’s feasibility study for building an underpass, overpass or moving the train tracks just south of Winnipeg Street that cross Ring Road. However, Fougere said this construction project will be factored into the rail study.
“What we’re looking at now is, given what we know about how we’re going to realign this bridge and the interchange here, what does that mean for the rail relocation if that’s the choice that’s made,” Fougere said.
The rail study is expected to be complete by mid-2019.
This project is part of the Canadian governments’ investment in more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes.
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