Expanding Saskatchewan Drive to improve road maintenance and sidewalks are coming closer to fruition as Regina’s executive committee approved a land acquisition for the development. At Wednesday’s meeting, the committee unanimously approved acquiring the land on 2704 Saskatchewan Drive for the city’s Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Plan. The land will be used for the construction, expansion, improvement and maintenance of the roadways, sidewalks and utility infrastructure in line with the city’s vision. “It really does create Saskatchewan Drive or move Saskatchewan Drive being a true artery [by] connecting the east and the west ends of the city,” Mayor Chad Bachynski told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s a very large project. It obviously will include lots of underground infrastructure as well and it’ll be done in phases. It’s something that does need to get done both from a core underground infrastructure perspective, but also from a long-term transportation throughout the city perspective as well.” The city is currently negotiating with the landowners in order to acquire the land via a mutual agreement. The widening of Saskatchewan Drive was first approved by council in 2017 as part of the Transportation Master Plan. The project’s budget was approved in 2022, beginning negotiations with property owners. Final approval for the land acquisition will be presented to Regina city council on Wednesday, Aug. 26. With files from Daniel Reech
