Rail-crossing overpass eyed for Ring Road
It’s ‘really the only solution’ to the dangerous situation, says mayor
City hall will examine the “feasibility ” of building an overpass where the CP and CN railways traverse the Ring Road, Mayor Michael Fougere has announced.
At his annual State of the City address at the Delta Hotel on Thursday, Fougere called the crossings “dangerous” and a constant source of frustration for drivers.
“It’s a risk for our city and for the public,” he said. “I’m pleased to say I’ve asked our administration to look at a feasibility study to look at the cost and location of constructing an overpass at this location.”
The mayor said he is still unsure whether the best option is to raise the railway over the highway, or the highway over the rails. He said the city has been in talks with rail companies over the issue and determined that relocating the lines would be “impossible.”
“The idea of an overpass is really the only solution,” he said.
City manager Chris Holden said he’s already been apprised of the mayor’s desire. His staff will now be tasked with reporting to council on the cost and design of any potential project. The mayor’s office confirmed that the study will look at both the Canadian Pacific and the Canadian National lines near Winnipeg Street.
Fougere did not hazard a guess at how expensive the project could be, or how long the Ring Road might be out of commission, though he has been quoted as pegging the potential outlay in the $100-million range.
He said he will discuss the issue with federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in a bid to secure federal funding for the project, and also plans to approach the province.
The announcement immediately earned applause from the audience, which included most of city council. Coun. Bob Hawkins said the issue is “certainly worth studying.”
“We need to find out what the best technical solution is to the problem, and once we have that information we can make a decision on which way to go,” he said. “There’s no doubt there’s a problem and there’s no doubt people are concerned about it.”
Hawkins agreed that Regina would need to seek support from other levels of government. The overpass, he stressed, will be a major project for Regina.
“I haven’t seen a number, but I know it wouldn’t be cheap,” he said.
The proposed study also earned accolades from residents who face delays when driving on the Ring Road.
Darlene Borden works just a few blocks south of the crossing. She said she’s late for work about three time each week because of the trains.
“As someone who has to travel that road every day, that would be really nice,” she said.