REGINA — A survey has been released by the City of Regina to collect feedback on the proposed Wascana Parkway Extension.
For nearly 30 years, the city has been exploring extending Prince of Wales Drive, which would connect the road to Wascana Parkway, a move seen as helping with multiple issues.
“The extension would relieve congestion and improve safety, offering an alternate route in and out of southeast Regina,” said Evan Guenther, City of Regina director of sustainable infrastructure.
Arcola Avenue has experienced significant congestion for many years. A 2021 corridor study by KGS Group found the roadway carries about 45,000 vehicles daily, including more than 3,000 eastbound vehicles during peak rush hour periods.
Extending Prince of Wales Dr. would remove 1,300 vehicles from Arcola Ave. during rush-hour traffic, according to the report.
While the city is seeking feedback on the project, the Wascana View Action Group has raised concerns about the road passing through a conservation easement (CE) in McKell Wascana Conservation Park.
“We're very concerned about the environmental impacts. And the McKell Reserve, [is also] in fact, is one of the last urban reserves in all of Canada,” said Jack Huntington of the Wascana View Action Group.
The easement is governed by an agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada, which has previously noted concerns about the potential impacts of the road on the area.
“The hydrology of the area would be modified, as will the migration patterns for wildlife that use the park and the CE area.”
In response to opposition, Guenther said any concerns will be addressed in the feasibility study.
Additionally, Guenther reassured that the road will be adjacent to the CE, but Huntington said this isn’t possible with having to go over Fleet Street.
"I don't see how it's possible, and the conservation easement actually touches the right-of-way next to Fleet Street.”
The Wascana View Action Group has stated it’d rather the city focus on widening Arcola Ave. to six lanes, a necessary option to relieve congestion in the corridor study.
However, the city said the timing of the project doesn’t work out with the remaining lifespan of the bridge along Arcola Ave.
“The useful life of that bridge is still 20 years away before it would need to be a major rehabilitation. So the timing from an asset management perspective doesn't really line up,” said Guenther.
The study also recommended widening Arcola Ave. as a long-term solution in the next decade.
The online survey remains open for public feedback until June 24.
Once completed, the city will then release a final report on the functional study in December.
Huntington is hopeful the city will include public input, including town halls, in the discussions.
As for the timeline of a potential roadway extension, Guenther said no timeline could be provided.
“We'll be working with those landowners and impacted parties. So, it's difficult to say at this time, but implementing the short-term solutions [for congestion] is our top priority.”
