REGINA - The City of Regina is looking to do a major upgrade along Saskatchewan Drive in the near future.
The Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project is to transform Saskatchewan Drive into a “grand avenue” and multi-modal corridor, according to the city’s website. The idea is that the street would be a gateway in and out of the downtown core.
The plan is for the project to move ahead in phases. The first phase would be for the Heritage neighbourhood section of Saskatchewan Drive Corridor between Broad Street and Winnipeg Street. Phase II would be the downtown section of Saskatchewan Drive Corridor past the Casino Regina and Cornwall Centre.
Phase III would be for the Cathedral neighbourhood section, running from Albert Street to just south of the new Mosaic Stadium area at McTavish Street. The three phases of the project must all be approved at city council.
The City of Regina is calling the project a priority due to aging and deteriorating infrastructure, increasing traffic volumes and a lack of safe pedestrian travel areas. There is also a goal to improve the function and connectivity as well as improve the beautification along that street.
In speaking to reporters Feb. 8, Mayor Sandra Masters explained the importance of the project, particularly pointing to one stretch of road in particular.
“Administration is very familiar with my feelings towards Elphinstone to Albert Street,” said Masters.
“But really, it’s all the way down through our downtown, which again we’re focused on downtown revitalization. Sask Drive needs some love and attention. And that area between Broad St. and Winnipeg St. is also run down, and… seems to have been put on hold for a number of years or simply got bumped in priority.”
Masters cited the importance of the Saskatchewan Drive corridor to the city, particularly in welcoming visitors. She cited the need for greater traffic safety and walkability.
“If you think about when folks who visit our city, they visit our downtown, how important that entrance is… and it actually sees a lot of cars in a day.”
A Public Information Session was held Feb. 8 at Cornwall Centre to allow the city to share information about the plan with residents and also to seek feedback.
City Hall is now proceeding with discussions at the council level on the various phases of the project.
At their Executive Committee meeting Wednesday, the city considered recommendations to engage in a public procurement process for consulting services over $750.000 for preliminary and detailed design and construction services for Phase I for the Heritage area.
That carried at Executive Committee and will now head to council for approval on Feb. 22.
