Regina Construction III

[CCF]

Originally Posted by UPP

Another idea that progressive cities do is to build pedestrian walkways over highspeed/heavy traffic streets with lots of pedestrian use. I'm not necessarily suggesting that for these 2 examples, since I don't know the amount of pedestrian traffic, just saying that Saskatoon has multiple pedways, Calgary has to have dozens and they build more all the time, Regina... 1.

They have their place over certain roadways, but I wouldn't say they are necessarily a progressive idea; as it's only further communicating and entrenching the idea that streets are designed for cars and other modes are secondary. Making pedestrians, cyclists and people who use mobility scooters climb up to go over has serious accessibility implications. Truly progressive cities are reexamining the composition of the street at grade, and rethinking the allocation of space. In Calgary, there are examples where the pedestrian overpass is being reconsidered like here: https://globalnews.ca/news/7146453/pedestrian-bridge-calgary-hillhurst-14th-street-crossing/

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by UPP

Another idea that progressive cities do is to build pedestrian walkways over highspeed/heavy traffic streets with lots of pedestrian use. I'm not necessarily suggesting that for these 2 examples, since I don't know the amount of pedestrian traffic, just saying that Saskatoon has multiple pedways, Calgary has to have dozens and they build more all the time, Regina... 1.

Were you referring to the one over Ring Road near Broad Street North?

I think there should be an overhead walkway that crosses Wascana Parkway at Kramer Boulevard. Ideally, one should go cross-corner, from the NE corner to the SW corner. This is a busy, and wide, intersection for both cars and pedestrians. It can be a long cold wait for University of Regina students in the winter for the traffic lights to cycle.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by UPP

Another idea that progressive cities do is to build pedestrian walkways over highspeed/heavy traffic streets with lots of pedestrian use. I'm not necessarily suggesting that for these 2 examples, since I don't know the amount of pedestrian traffic, just saying that Saskatoon has multiple pedways, Calgary has to have dozens and they build more all the time, Regina... 1.

Progressive cities make the cars move, not the pedestrians.

[aberrant]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Progressive cities make the cars move, not the pedestrians.

Yup.

[prairieguy]

Here is an example of a ped bridge in Saskatoon that definitely caters to active transportation!! and looks nice too!

https://www.saskatoonpics.com/Parks/Green-Bridge/i-cKt2PRg/

[Draftsman]

Originally Posted by prairieguy

Here is an example of a ped bridge in Saskatoon that definitely caters to active transportation!! and looks nice too!

https://www.saskatoonpics.com/Parks/Green-Bridge/i-cKt2PRg/

That's a beautiful pedestrian bridge. I have never seen one landscaped before, which makes this one look inviting.

Thanks for posting, prairieguy

[LittleBoy]

Not directly related to construction but figured I’d share. The city is moving forward with creating a combined community association for the Downtown/Transition area. Neither downtown nor transition really had enough of a population base to warrant individual associations. Just starting now, but will update with anything significant. Further, I’ve heard that a Cathedral Business Improvement District is in the works. Could help with development in the area

[UPP]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Progressive cities make the cars move, not the pedestrians.

That's childish and naive.

I get it, new development should cater to walking, cycling and transit. I literally walk everywhere I can within reason. But we currently have infrastructure that has limited pedestrian mobility. For instance, there is no safe way to access the Grasslands shopping area from Albert Park. People also walk across the Ring Road off ramp onto Victoria East. It's beyond dangerous and should be addressed with a pedestrian walkway. We should also have at least two walkways over the CP line both downtown to the Dewdney strip and near Elphinstone to access Evraz/Mosaic.

Until we are able to afford to reroute the TransCanada Highway, Ring Road, Wascana Parkway, the Lewvan, 9th Ave N, and the CP rail line, my vote will be to put up pedestrian walkways.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by UPP

That's childish and naive.

I get it, new development should cater to walking, cycling and transit. I literally walk everywhere I can within reason. But we currently have infrastructure that has limited pedestrian mobility. For instance, there is no safe way to access the Grasslands shopping area from Albert Park. People also walk across the Ring Road off ramp onto Victoria East. It's beyond dangerous and should be addressed with a pedestrian walkway. We should also have at least two walkways over the CP line both downtown to the Dewdney strip and near Elphinstone to access Evraz/Mosaic.

Until we are able to afford to reroute the TransCanada Highway, Ring Road, Wascana Parkway, the Lewvan, 9th Ave N, and the CP rail line, my vote will be to put up pedestrian walkways.

That's idiotic and defeatist.

This is the exact type of response that continues car culture indefinitely. If the solution to every single thing is build a giant, unfriendly ramp that requires considerable extra effort for the sole benefit of not inconvenience then you might as well give up the fake pretense that you care at all.

Around the university the solution is easily to slow the speed considerably and make pedestrian traffic priority.

The solution is to enforce cars as the third option.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

That's idiotic and defeatist.

This is the exact type of response that continues car culture indefinitely. If the solution to every single thing is build a giant, unfriendly ramp that requires considerable extra effort for the sole benefit of not inconvenience then you might as well give up the fake pretense that you care at all.

Around the university the solution is easily to slow the speed considerably and make pedestrian traffic priority.

The solution is to enforce cars as the third option.

Melodramatic much? There are plenty of examples that I mentioned where well-designed ramps would improve pedestrian and cyclist movement while promoting leaving cars at home in favour of walking over an unsafe highway or railyard. The following are areas where no one walks or bikes across a highway. Instead, people drive the 2 or 3 blocks across. Pedestrian bridges would encourage bikes or walking:
1) The Creeks over Arcola Ave to safely access the Chuka restaurants and shops
2) From Glencairn/Creekside over Vic East to safely access stores and the city path system
3) Albert Park over Lewvan to safely access Grasslands or at Parliament over Lewvan to safely access the path system, shopping, business park.

[PhotoJim]

Pedestrian access and good vehicle routes are not mutually exclusive.

Also, it's a lot easier to get people to consider revising their thinking when the rebuttals to their thoughts aren't made about the people, but are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Just a thought.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by PhotoJim

Pedestrian access and good vehicle routes are not mutually exclusive.

Also, it's a lot easier to get people to consider revising their thinking when the rebuttals to their thoughts aren't made about the people, but are thoughtful and thought-provoking. Just a thought.

Well said.

[jigglysquishy]

Over road walkways are brutal in the winter. As best evidenced by the one on College in Saskatoon, they don't really get used. Pedestrians there often opt for running across the road because of the additional time on the pedway/ brutal wind.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by jigglysquishy

Over road walkways are brutal in the winter. As best evidenced by the one on College in Saskatoon, they don't really get used. Pedestrians there often opt for running across the road because of the additional time on the pedway/ brutal wind.

Fair enough.

I would add our brutal climate makes biking and walking a 'seasonal' event in most cases regardless of the infrastructure. The exception being those amazing few who still cycle in -20 or worse. Not for the faint of heart in my estimation.

[CCF]

Originally Posted by UPP

Fair enough.

I would add our brutal climate makes biking and walking a 'seasonal' event in most cases regardless of the infrastructure. The exception being those amazing few who still cycle in -20 or worse. Not for the faint of heart in my estimation.

Respectfully, it's December and Regina is experiencing plus temperatures. Inadequate infrastructure, entrenched perspectives/car culture are greater barriers to cycling/walking than is the weather. Calgary provides an example of how the introduction of even a limited downtown cycling network connected to pathways can boost cycling.

It's also worth mentioning that weather/climate is often cited as the issue regardless of geography (i.e. American Southwest = it's too hot; West coast = it's too rainy; Prairies = it's too cold)

[PhotoJim]

Originally Posted by UPP

I would add our brutal climate makes biking and walking a 'seasonal' event in most cases regardless of the infrastructure.

I, for one, walk every workday (and most weekend days) for exercise. Weather never stopped me last year.

It's surprising how warm you can stay if you dress properly, plus if you are active (and walking is sufficiently active), your body will generate additional heat of its own in only a few minutes.

I thought for sure I'd stop when it got really cold, but I never had to. I'm sure it could, but -31 and windy was not enough to stop me.

[aberrant]

Originally Posted by PhotoJim

I, for one, walk every workday (and most weekend days) for exercise. Weather never stopped me last year.

It's surprising how warm you can stay if you dress properly, plus if you are active (and walking is sufficiently active), your body will generate additional heat of its own in only a few minutes.

I thought for sure I'd stop when it got really cold, but I never had to. I'm sure it could, but -31 and windy was not enough to stop me.

Same. It's no big deal.

[Udon'tknow]

Originally Posted by CCF

Respectfully, it's December and Regina is experiencing plus temperatures. Inadequate infrastructure, entrenched perspectives/car culture are greater barriers to cycling/walking than is the weather. Calgary provides an example of how the introduction of even a limited downtown cycling network connected to pathways can boost cycling.

It's also worth mentioning that weather/climate is often cited as the issue regardless of geography (i.e. American Southwest = it's too hot; West coast = it's too rainy; Prairies = it's too cold)

I concur and the other thing that makes weather a weak argument is the fact that our climate is warming with the prairies considered a climate change hotspot. Our winters are going to get less harsh and there is evidence that is already happening. The number of days of minus 30 are going to get less and less and winters are going to get shorter. I realize there are lots of people in Saskatchewan in denial over climate change and global warming but the argument that our 'weather is brutal' in the winter doesn't fly anymore. Yes we will still get cold winter weather, just less of it. These are not good arguments against responsible city planning.

[UPP]

Originally Posted by PhotoJim

I, for one, walk every workday (and most weekend days) for exercise. Weather never stopped me last year.

It's surprising how warm you can stay if you dress properly, plus if you are active (and walking is sufficiently active), your body will generate additional heat of its own in only a few minutes.

I thought for sure I'd stop when it got really cold, but I never had to. I'm sure it could, but -31 and windy was not enough to stop me.

I walk every day as well. I used to run every day but cannot due to injury. Since having children, I drive to work almost every day. I have to. If you've never tried getting from work to the afterschool program then back to the soccer center by 4:45, I'd suggest giving it a go on foot sometime and tell me how you make out.

Not concerning this post, but weather is and will be a real impediment to walking or cycling to work in Regina in the winter. It is simply impractical for most people in the winter. 5 young(ish) people on an internet message board can say it's easy and fine, whatever. Not so much though for a 55 year substitute teacher or an immigrant Philippino woman or a 30 year old woman who has to drop her kids off at daycare on her way to work. Gimme a break.

At any rate, I learned long ago that arguing on a message board is about as fun as hitting your thumb with a hammer. Over and over again. So I'll leave it at that.

[one_brick_at_a_time]

Any update on that south of airport new hotel?