IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE ON VICTORIA AVENUE EAST

Motorists can now enjoy a quicker, safer drive on Victoria Avenue East now that new lanes are open to traffic on this important urban transportation corridor and connector to Highway 1.

The City of Regina, Province of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada partnered on roadway improvements to increase the traffic capacity of Highway 1/Victoria Avenue from Park Street to Fleet Street/University Park Drive and the Victoria Avenue and Ring Road interchange. These improvements included the construction of additional through lanes and dual left turn lanes for westbound traffic from Highway 1/Victoria Avenue to the Highway 1 bypass.

Funding for this $9.5 million project was cost-shared between the three levels of government. The City of Regina and Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation each provided $4 million. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provided $750,000 each through the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program (CSIP), a federal-provincial program to assist communities with infrastructure-related initiatives.

"The Victoria Avenue upgrades have made this busy traffic artery safer for Regina residents and opened it to more visitors and opportunities," said Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). "The expansion of Victoria Avenue East reaffirms why the Government of Canada places a high priority on quality infrastructure improvements that allow for a better quality of life for Canadians."

"These improvements will serve to improve traffic flow on Victoria Avenue East through to Highway 1," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "I am pleased that motorists and businesses along this busy corridor will benefit from enhanced safety and mobility. This construction is part of our commitment to building better highways, demonstrating once again that transportation is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan."

"The City of Regina thanks Regina businesses, motorists, and residents for their patience during this construction project," Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "Thank you also to the construction team who completed this complex project on schedule despite rainy weather early in the season. Now travel will be much easier in the southeast for Regina motorists and visitors to our city."

Work on centre medians, ditches, signage and side slopes will continue with minimal traffic restrictions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Ann Anderson City of Regina Regina Phone: (306) 777-7908	Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484
Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959	Joanne Mysak Western Economic Diversification Canada Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-5942