Released on September 20, 2010
Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter announced today that the construction of the interchange at Pinkie Road and Highway 1 has been accelerated. This development will form the next stage of construction of the West Regina Bypass that will ultimately connect Highways 1 and 11.
"The original plan for the West Regina Bypass called for interchanges at Highway 1 and Highway 11, and they were scheduled for construction as the last stage of the Bypass' development," Reiter said. "Based on new information that will see approximately 1,000 trucks per week running to and from the Global Transportation Hub, with the potential for more, we have determined that the construction on the Pinkie Road interchange should begin in the 2011 construction season."
Funding originally allocated for the Bypass north of Dewdney will be reallocated to the $34 million interchange, which will be built first. The interchange will allow for left-turns for vehicles to and from Highway 1.
"The provincial government is committed to putting in place transportation infrastructure that will continue to help drive Saskatchewan's strong economy," Reiter said. "Several companies have been looking at locating at the Global Transportation Hub and in order to ensure the Hub is attractive to them, we need to ensure traffic accommodation provides for the safe and efficient movement of goods."
The first stage of interchange planning begins with a functional design process which identifies the location and alignment of the interchange. The public and stakeholders will have the opportunity to view and comment on the proposed location of the interchange at an open house later this week, scheduled for September 23 at Dieppe School from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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For more information, contact:
Doug Wakabayashi
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4804
Cell: 306-536-0049