Regina's temporary solution to a collapsed storm pipe has cost $1.45 million so far

A temporary bypass for a collapsed storm water pipe has cost the City of Regina nearly $1.5 million and construction on a permanent solution will not begin until next year.

Part of a green space on the northwest corner of Wascana Lake has been fenced off since officials became aware of the collapsed pipe in June 2023. 

The pipe, which dates back to the 1940, was about two metres in diameter. When it collapsed, it opened up a sinkhole in the backyard of a family living on the other side of the Albert Street Bridge.

Mayor Sandra Masters said it's hard to deal with the unexpected.

"Old infrastructure is going to fail, and so getting in and replacing it so you're not doing it in a crisis mode probably makes more sense," Masters said.

WATCH| Massive sinkhole in Regina backyard prompts emergency response: 

Massive sinkhole in Regina backyard prompts emergency response

2 years ago

Duration 2:25

A massive sinkhole in a Regina backyard has prompted an emergency response by the city. It's spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and slowing down traffic on Albert Street to fix the problem. The homeowners invited the CBC's Adam Hunter into their backyard to learn more about what's going on.

The city's solution to the unexpected problem was to create a large ditch, and remove several trees and light stands in Wascana Park to make way for nine large pumps capable of moving rainwater into Wascana Creek.

What was described as a "temporary bypass" is now set to stick around for at least one more year, if not longer.

So far, the city has spent $1.45 million on the issue: $280,000 to set up the temporary bypass system, $630,000 to fill and stabilize the sinkhole, and $675,000 a year to operate the bypass system.

That yearly cost accounts for fuel, fencing and operational labour costs.

A permanent solution and its cost has not yet been determined, according to city officials.

Masters said the cost of the temporary bypass is a "perfect example" of the cost of not renewing infrastructure.

"It's never going to last forever," she said Wednesday.

A City of Regina report presented to council in 2022 found that 17 per cent of the city's assets are in poor to very poor condition. Stormwater and wastewater assets are among those in the worst condition, according to the report.

The report's conclusion was that over the next 20 years, $4.5 billion is needed to replace assets, compared to a previously projection of approximately $3.9 billion — a gap of approximately $655 million.

Masters said she strives to look forward rather than trying to get to the bottom of how things got this way, but said it is important for council to keep in mind how these costs can escalate.

"It will be far more expensive 10 years from now than it would be now," Masters said.

City officials say the nine pumps for the sinkhole are set to remain in place until work on a permanent drainage solution is complete. 

This means the stairwell and underpass for pedestrians and cyclists will be closed on both sides of the Albert Street Memorial Bridge for the rest of 2024.