City and RM teaming to undertake transportation study

The City of Swift Current and the RM of Swift Current are teaming up to complete a Regional Transportation Study to help guide the future plans of the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.

At the December 14 Swift Current City Council, the city approved their portion of spending towards a Regional Transportation Plan which will be led by the Ministry. The City is funding 40 per cent of the study, the RM of Swift Current has committed 10 per cent of the study cost, while the remaining 50 per cent of the study will be funded by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.

“I think it paves the way to hopefully getting some future revenue shared projects completed in Swift Current,” veteran Swift Current Councillor Ryan Plewis commented during the motion to approve study funding.

In a report presented to council it was explained that regional studies like this provide a good base plan for future improvements. Among the areas under review in the study will be a review of the Trans-canada Highway off-ramps to the service roads, the feasibility of an additional overpass, plus pedestrian access along the north and south service roads.

“From the information that we’ve received from the Ministry, they are reviewing the Urban Highway Connector Program which applies to us here, and that these studies will define projects within that program. And without having these plans it may delay some of those projects from being completed,” explained Mitch Minken, General Manager of Infrastructure and Operations.

Mayor Al Bridal also expressed a hope that the study could review lowering the Transcanada Highway speed limit through Swift Current from 100 kilometres per hour down to 80 kilometres per hour.

“I would just think that the speed limit might be of interest to both ourselves and the RM of Swift Current,” Bridal expressed. “It’s one of those things I would definitely be interested in.”

Minken noted that the scope of the study has not yet been established so it could be part of the research parameters.

Absolutely it could be. The parameters on the study and the items within the study are negotiable at this point through the development of the final agreement. Any thing that would be of interest to council would certainly able to be included.”

The City of Swift Current’s portion of the study will be paid for through the utilization of surplus funds from the 2020 Chaplin St.

Bridge Rehabilitation

Project.