New Regina south bypass route approved

The province has approved a route for the Trans-Canada Highway bypass that will be built around Regina.

The bypass will connect to Highway 1 near Pinkie Road at the West Regina Bypass, stretch around to the east connecting with Highway 1 near Tower Road between Highways 1 and 33.

The route is expected to alleviate bottleneck traffic on Victoria Avenue E., and it will also allow shippers to avoid travelling through the city.

Provincial officials said they have spoken to most of the land and business owners. The biggest concerns they're hearing have to do with compensation and the proximity of the bypass to farmyards.

"The South Bypass will respond to the tremendous growth Regina and Saskatchewan is seeing, position the region for more growth in future years and be an important part of the broader provincial and national transportation systems," said Don McMorris, the minister of Highways and Infrastructure in a press release.

A location planning study overseen by the Ministry of Highways, City of Regina and RM of Sherwood helped it decide on the route. The ministry will now begin to plan overpasses and service road requirements.

The projected cost of the bypass is about $300 million. The province said they will be looking for possible P3 (public-private) partnership for the project.