City to get first bi-directional bicycle lane

The City of Regina is investing approximately $1.8 million in rehabilitating Park Street, which includes installation of its first bi-directional bike lane.

A first of its kind in Regina, the path utilizes a parking lane to separate bike riders from traffic, according to a city news release.

The project will reconfigure the use of driving and parking lanes heading northbound on Park Street between Douglas Avenue and 17th Avenue East. Currently, there are two driving lanes and a parking lane in either direction. Once completed, there will be one driving lane, one parking lane and one bi-directional bike lane going northbound. The southbound side will remain the same.

Regina currently has about 52 kilometres of cycling infrastructure, split between on-street bike lanes and multi-use pathways. Biking projects planned in 2020 will add another four kilometres of bike infrastructure in the community.

The project combines road construction and the installation of the new bike lane to reduce the impact to residents and co-ordinate the work over one construction season.

The project also includes resurfacing of 17th Avenue East to create a smooth ride to connect to the existing Arcola Avenue multi-use pathway.

Residents of the area have been invited to an information session to better understand how the infrastructure will work and the impacts to those with properties immediately adjacent to the new bike lane. Detailed drawings and information are posted publicly at Regina.ca/cycling.

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of September.