This coordination allows a consistent approach to construction planning, optimizes available resources and prioritize projects objectively. Based on this approach, construction projects are varied by ward as not all wards will require each type or the same amount of construction. The capital and operational projects are determined through our annual budget process.
There are approximately 1,226 kilometres of roads in our community, as well as 1,770 kilometres of sidewalks. Most roadway infrastructure upgrades are funded through two programs to improve the overall health of the road network. The Residential Road Renewal Program (RRRP) renews local roads and the Street Infrastructure Renewal Program (SIRP) targets major roads.
Other construction projects can include upgrades and repairs to underground utilities, water service connections and catch basins/manholes. These projects are funded through the Utility Fund and are coordinated with the Water Infrastructure Renewal and Sewer Infrastructure Renewal programs.
The main goal of our road renewal programs is to improve the overall health of the road network by selecting the right locations to receive the right treatment at the right time.
Expectations During Construction
Residents living on a street with planned construction typically receive a letter in advance about the type of work, estimated timeline and expectations. Below are some of those details included in the letters. At locations where emergency work is taking place, such as a water break, residents should receive notification in the mailbox, between the front doors or hanging on the front door.
Information about what you may need to do in your yard:
- Mark underground sprinkler heads to help minimize the risk of damage. The sprinkler system does not need to be removed.
- Move items located within two metres from the edge of the sidewalk to avoid damage. This includes fences, plants, shrubs, flowers, lawn decorations, retaining walls, railway ties, etc. Following project completion, you may return these items to their original spots.
- Items remaining when construction begins will be removed by the City and placed on the property away from the work area. The City shall not be liable for any damage that may occur.
- Any landscape areas disturbed during construction will be restored using grass seed or sod to City landscape standards.
- Driveways, private walkways or damaged sprinklers will be repaired during the landscaping phase of the project. Landscaping is anticipated to take place within 12 months of the completed project.
Information about driving and parking:
- The access to your driveway may be restricted depending on the construction taking place on your street.
- After construction, driveways and private walkways will be reinstated following the City standard. We do not install specialty surfaces (exposed aggregate, stampcrete, etc.). In this case, this material will be removed and the area will be backfilled with a sand/rock mixture. We will provide a fair market payment, also known as a buy-out, to the property owner to replace the material removed. A City representative will contact those property owners identified as requiring a buy-out.
Before construction begins, crews may:
- Complete visual inspections or survey which may involve photos of the properties, work areas or paint marks in the construction zone.
- Install No Parking signs as needed.
- Prepare for concrete work by cutting or raising portions of the sidewalk.
Watch for further notices in your mailbox. Details such as expected start date, duration, scope of work, garbage and recycling pick up will be included, as well as general information related to traffic restrictions.
If you have any questions, contact Service Regina at 306-777-7000.
Road Treatments
Roads are designed to last 40 to 45 years, however, that is very dependent on the weather patterns, underground infrastructure, soil conditions and other factors. Keeping them in good condition requires preventative maintenance treatments to help them last through the elements until full reconstruction of the road is required.
Residential roads and sidewalks are visually inspected by City inspectors annually. This inspection assigns a condition rating to various criteria for the pavement and concrete, including cracking, potholes, ravelling, ride quality, trip-hazards, etc. These inspections help to determine the type of treatment that should be applied for each road.
Surface Treatment: A thin layer of asphalt is placed either directly over existing asphalt or on a road surface that has had minimal milling (a process similar to grinding) done before new asphalt is put down. These treatments are applied to extend life cycle of the road and/or to improve drivability based on road condition. We use this treatment when roads and sidewalks are in the following condition:
- The road is in fair to good condition and has minimal drainage issues. The concrete sidewalks is in good condition. This treatment typically extends the road life cycle by 10-12 years.
- The road is in poor condition roads but can support the construction equipment. This will improve driving condition and user experience.
Rehabilitation: The top layer of asphalt is milled and removed then a fresh layer of asphalt is placed over the existing asphalt. Rehabilitation paving is the best treatment when pavement is in fair condition and concrete is in poor to fair condition. There are two type of sub-categories of rehabilitation treatments:
- Minor Rehabilitation: Only some sections of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, catch basins/manholes are replaced or upgraded. The existing asphalt layer will be replaced with a new layer of asphalt.
- Major Rehabilitation: Existing sidewalks, curbs and gutters, catch basins/manholes will be fully removed and replaced. The existing asphalt will be removed and replaced with by a new layer of asphalt.
Rebuild: This treatment is used when the road and concrete sidewalks are in poor condition. The entire road infrastructure including sidewalks, curbs and gutters, catch basins/manholes are removed and replaced. The rebuild also provides opportunity to upgrade and replace aging underground infrastructure. This treatment is used when lighter treatments (surface treatment, rehabilitation) may fail the road – meaning that the equipment may cause more damage while trying to make repairs.
Sidewalk Treatments
The City has a variety of treatments in its toolbox for the maintenance and improvement of the sidewalks.
Grinding: This method is used to remove trip hazards by grinding the raised portion of the sidewalk down and bringing it back to a level surface with the adjacent sidewalk panels. Grinding may only be completed on a sidewalk two to three times before the structure of the sidewalk becomes compromised.
Concrete Replacement: This method is used to repair sidewalk deficiencies that are too severe for other treatments. We remove one or more damaged sidewalk panel and pour a new concrete sidewalk. This method may correct some drainage issues on the road, depending on the length of sidewalk being replaced.
Mudjacking: This method is used to adjust the elevation of a section of sidewalk that has sunk or settled over time. It can also be used to improve sidewalk drainage and eliminate trip hazards between two panels. This process involves filling in the space underneath the sidewalk with grout raising it to the right height. For this to be effective, the sidewalk has to be mostly free of cracks, have a concrete gutter and not have had this treatment before.
Asphalt Capping: This is a low-cost option where an asphalt overlay is placed on a sidewalk. This method is used to quickly address trip hazards and provide a smooth walking surface. It can also address concrete deficiencies on sidewalks that have no gutter or are separate from the gutter, which cannot be mudjacked.
Residential Road Renewal Program
The Residential Road Renewal Program (RRRP) was established in 2015 to improve the condition of existing residential roads. Through comprehensive assessments of the road structure and surface, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, as well as underground infrastructure, this program identifies the appropriate treatments required on roads throughout the City to improve the overall health of the network.
Street Infrastructure Renewal Program
The Street Infrastructure Renewal Program (SIRP) is in place to improve the condition of existing major roadway assets. It is primarily focused on improving major roads such as expressways, arterial and collector category roads.
A condition rating is used an indicator for the health of the overall road network. It shows about 83 per cent of the paved surface of the arterial and collector sub-network is in fair condition or better and has remained stable during the last 20 years.
Our major roads are inspected with a physical assessment every three years by an external consultant. Sidewalks along major roads are inspected on an annual basis with the residential road and sidewalk inspections. These physical assessment collects information including:
- Pavement and concrete deficiencies - cracking, potholes, ravelling, rutting, trip-hazards.
- Structural defects and remaining structural life.
- Drainage distresses on the road surface and along the gutter.
Water Infrastructure Renewal Program
Projects help maintain and improve the City’s drinking water system to ensure safe, clean drinking water throughout the community. In addition to water system improvements completed in conjunction with road construction, several stand-alone water construction projects take place, including relining, directional drilling and repairing pipes nearing the end of their lifecycle.
Sewer Infrastructure Renewal Program
These are projects that renew and extend the life of our aging underground sewer main infrastructure. The City uses a cleaning and inspection method to determine what mains need to be renewed. Then depending on the condition assessment, either relining or replacement techniques are implemented to renew the City’s domestic and storm sewer infrastructure.
Sewer relining is a more minimally invasive, cost-effective and efficient method than the traditional method of excavating and replacing the pipe, about one-third the full replacement cost. These processes will renew and maintain the City’s sewer main networks for another 50 plus years of service.
Pedestrian Connectivity Program
The primary goal of the Pedestrian Connectivity (PC) Program is to improve walkability, better accommodate those who use walking as their primary mode of transportation and implement pedestrian accessibility ramps where practically feasible. This is consistent with the community priority of developing complete neighbourhoods and contributing to the development of a citywide pedestrian strategy of a continuous high-quality, connected, safe and universally accessible walking experience.
The PC Program is intended for locations where the pedestrian network can be connected to existing transit routes, multi-use pathways and/or schools, focusing on important points that connect the City’s pedestrian network. Locations are identified based on four guiding principles:
- Reduce risk & improve safety for pedestrians
- Enhance connectivity
- Accessibility
- System maintenance
Transportation Operations
Installing and upgrading traffic and pedestrian signals to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
Traffic Engineering
- Provide a safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable traffic system for the movement of people and goods on City streets.
- Establish and maintain technical credibility in preparing and reviewing transportation improvement plans with Council, Committees of Council, Community Associations and the general public.
- Develop and maintain the Traffic Bylaw to be legally sound and enforceable.
- Improve the transportation system through changes to traffic signals by installing new signals, changing signal phasing, signal timing, and progression to improve traffic flow and safety.
- Prepare parking plans which ensure traffic operations efficiencies and reflect the needs of neighbouring residences, business operators and institutions.
- Ensure the adequacy and effectiveness of all traffic control signs, pavement markings, expressway lighting and streetlights.
- Develop and maintain plans and systems to ensure a safe and accessible environment for all road users including vehicular, pedestrian and micro mobility (bicycles and e-scooters).
- Maintain the Red Light Camera Program which now includes rolling right turn on red light and the Automated Speed Enforcement Program.
- Adopted a Vision Zero approach to road safety in 2024 with the goal to reduce all injuries and fatalities on the road network.
- Lead and coordinate countermeasures to achieve this goal which are spread across many internal and external stakeholders. Implement the internal countermeasures that include but are not limited to traffic calming, enhanced pavement markings, pedestrian crossing upgrades, traffic signal upgrades, community safety zones, and safety/educational campaigns.
