REGINA - There have been some new developments to report in the response to the sinkhole situation near Albert Street in Regina.
The city is letting residents know that work is to begin on Thursday morning to install a temporary stormwater bypass on the east side of Albert Street Memorial Bridge in Wascana Park.
Starting at 9 a.m., work will start on the temporary drainage solution that will pump stormwater into the lake. It is to address an issue in which a sinkhole developed on a nearby property, due to an aging pipe which had collapsed as a result of recent rain events.
Acting Director of Citizen Services Kurtis Doney had spoken to media about the emergency situation on Tuesday. On Wednesday he provided details on the restrictions that will impact the traffic pedestrian and cycling in the area:
Traffic and pedestrian sidewalk access will be restricted on northbound lanes on the Albert Street Memorial Bridge for approximately one week to accommodate this construction. Two-way traffic and pedestrian access will be maintained in the southbound lanes.
For the pedestrian walking path in Wascana Park there will be impacts. The city is asking people to follow signs in the area and avoid the northwest corner if at all possible. Signage will be placed on the main pathway to re-direct pedestrians, cyclists and other users when required; residents are urged to follow all posted signage.
Sidewalks and stairs underneath the bridge will be closed on both sides of the Albert Street Memorial Bridge for the duration of the temporary pumping solution.
“A lot of this information is changing as we get to the field and make field decisions because we are in an emergency response situation, and moving very quickly to reduce the risk of any larger events that may occur during a rain storm event,” said Doney.
