Delay $1.88B Regina bypass, but install safety features now, NDP urges

The provincial NDP is calling on the Saskatchewan Party government to put a temporary halt on the Regina bypass, but proceed with some safety features immediately.

The party says "a sober second thought" is needed to save money and evaluate other potential routes.

The bypass, which will cost $1.88 billion, is scheduled to begin construction this year and be completed by 2019.

It will allow cars and trucks on Highway 11 and the Trans-Canada Highway to get past Regina without having to enter the city.

But Trent Wotherspoon, the NDP MLA for Regina Rosemont, says safety east of Regina along the Trans-Canada, also known as Highway 1, needs to be addressed immediately.

"What these communities need are safety, they need actions now, they need traffic lights and overpasses, in the quickest way possible," Wotherspoon said. "That's what we're pushing for here today."

The party says work on overpasses and traffic lights should start immediately. That would happen by removing them from the bypass project budget, he said.

Bruce Evans, the mayor of White City, said now is no time for a delay.

"There are people's lives at risk," Evans said. "Projects of this nature ... are so important to the safe access on and off the highway in our region."

He said he supports the current plan.

Evans said he expects construction to start as soon as the end of August.

An official from the provincial government said work is already underway and started with geotechnical testing along the entire corridor. 

The official said more significant construction is planned for October.