Why Regina's underpasses routinely flood and how to fix the problem
CBC
Every time it rains in Regina a series of underpasses that bisect the city are in danger of flooding.
Attempts by commuters to cross the water-logged areas often ends with stranded vehicles and soaked drivers. Sometimes, first responders are even called in to save passengers with a boat.
The underpasses at Albert Street, Broad Street and Winnipeg Street are among the spots that frequently flood and disrupt traffic.
According to Kurtis Doney, the city's acting executive director of citizen services, the causes of flooding fall into two categories:
"This recent storm event and all the recent storm events do highlight the importance of investing in underground infrastructure, and in particular our storm water system," Doney said.
Increasing the capacity of the city's retention ponds, enlarging the pipes or improving the pumps could all help alleviate flooding.
However, Doney said recognizing what needs to be done and implementing the changes are two different issues.
The latest estimates put the cost for upgrading the infrastructure of the Albert Street underpass at around $10 million.
"The Albert Street underpass, to reduce the risk of flooding there, that work is going to be planned with the [Saskatchewan Drive] work that is happening along all of [Saskatchewan Drive]," he said.
"It's important to integrate all that work to make sure it's done properly all at once."
There's no confirmed timeline for when work will begin on upgrades to Saskatchewan Drive.
The latest update from the City of Regina indicates construction on the first phase of the project could begin in 2024 if its approved.
With the Albert Street underpass lying between the areas designated for the second and third phase of the project, it could be a while before the underpass escapes a major storm without flooding.
Addressing flooding at Broad Street may take even longer, with Doney confirming the city is looking at creating a detention pond.