Introduction
The Government of Saskatchewan is working on a study on proposed safety and capacity improvements at the Highway 1 and Lewvan Drive interchange in Regina.
An opportunity was held for input on a variety of options. There is no time frame for construction.
ConsiderationsThe development of the design options considered:
- The existing interchange
- Safety
- Mobility and reliability
- Future traffic volumes
- Locations of utilities
- Available roadway right-of-way
- Construction staging
- Cost
- Existing overpass bridge width
Traffic volumes for the functional planning study included the City of Regina’s 2040 traffic projections and assumed the mixed-use commercial area south of Highway 1 would be fully developed. The existing interchange is shown below.
Options
Five design options are being evaluated based on:
- Safety
- Driver comfort
- Construction cost
- Traffic delays
- Operations and maintenance costs
- Ease of construction
- Stakeholder feedback
Option 1
- A northeast loop ramp without moving the existing off-ramp
- The small loop ramp means lower speeds:
- 40 km/h on the loop ramp
- 60 km/h on Lewvan Drive
Benefits:
- Low traffic delays
- Low impact during construction
Drawbacks:
- A low safety score due to the small loop ramp
- Second most expensive option
Option 2
- A ramp merging with the existing westbound on-ramp.
- This option includes traffic signals
- Addition of a northbound lane across the overpass
- 60 km/h speed limit on Lewvan Drive
Benefits:
- Lowest construction cost
- Lowest impact to motorists during construction
Drawbacks:
- Highest traffic delays
Option 3
- A ramp merging with the existing westbound on-ramp
- This option includes traffic signals
- Addition of a northbound lane across the overpass
- 60 km/h speed limit on Lewvan Drive
- An additional lane north of the intersection
Benefits:
- Lower traffic delays than Option 2
Drawbacks:
- Lower safety score than Option 2
- More expensive than Option 2
![Lewvan - Hwy 1- option 3](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/-/media/images/highways/public-engagement/regina-lewvan/hwy1-options-1-3.jpg)
Option 4A
- A ramp merging with the existing westbound on-ramp
- A roundabout north of the highway
- 50 km/h speed limit on Lewvan Drive
Benefits:
- Low traffic delays
- One of the safest options
Drawbacks:
- High impact during construction
Option 4B
- A ramp merging with the existing westbound on-ramp
- Roundabouts north and south of the highway
- 50 km/h speed limit on Lewvan Drive
Benefits:
- Lowest traffic delays
- One of the safest options
Drawbacks:
- Highest impact during construction
- Most expensive option
The survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
Next Steps
- Finalize recommendation
- Public engagement website to present recommended option
- Finalize functional design report.
- Additional design work
- Construction (no timeline)
The Functional Planning Study will be finalized in 2024.