REGINA BYPASS
Saskatchewan’s largest highway project
completed on time and on budget
The largest (and most expensive) highway project in
Saskatchewan history opened to traffic in late October.
As its name suggests, the Regina Bypass is designed to divert
traffic from Highway 1 away from the city, so heavy trucks can avoid
major roadways like Victoria Avenue and Ring Road. It is vital to ensuring
the continuing economic prosperity of Saskatchewan and the Regina region.
The massive project includes 12 overpasses and 40 kilometres of new
four-lane highway. The total cost is $1.9 billion.
“The opening of the Regina Bypass is an important milestone for our
province and will greatly improve the transportation of goods in and out of
our province’s capital city,” said Premier Scott Moe in a press release. “More
importantly, the Regina Bypass will greatly improve the safety of our roads
and highways for our families and industries.”
The government estimates reduced collision rates because of the bypass
will result in $2 to $3 million in annual cost savings from property damage,
injuries and fatalities.
Phase One of the bypass, east of Regina from Balgonie to Highway
33, finished on-schedule in October 2017. The remainder was finished
October 2019.
Three major junctions are:
Tower Road / Highway 1 Eastbound On-ramp
The two-lane Highway 1 eastbound on-ramp from Regina will fly over the
Regina Bypass mainline lanes, rather than taking the mainline lanes up and
over the ramp. This will result in a smaller disruption to traffic flows in and
out of Regina on the existing Highway 1 during the project build.
Highway 1 West / Regina Bypass
This alternative concept includes changes to the northbound to westbound
traffic movements and westbound to westbound lane combinations and
more cost effective than other alternatives.
By Martin Charlton Communications
22 | Quarter 1 2020 | saskheavy.ca
/saskheavy.ca
