Regina resident frustrated with delays in sidewalk repair caused by project backlog
A Regina resident is expressing frustrations about a city repair project on his property that has been ongoing for the past year.
Paul Kleckner said the City of Regina updated the fire hydrant on his front lawn more than a year ago, leaving behind a torn up sidewalk, front yard and road.
He said he called to inquire about the status of this project plenty of times over the course of the year.
“They didn’t have the budget, they don’t have the man power, I phoned different departments and the line I hated the most was— I hate hearing this line— is, ‘there’s nothing we can do,’” he said.
On Saturday, concrete was finally poured on the side walk, but sodding of his lawn and filling in the road is still incomplete.
Kleckner said it only took a few hours for this work to be done, and wonders why a few hours work took over a year to complete.
Colin Midgley, manager of roadways and maintenance operations with the City of Regina, said there is a backlog given the environmental implications the province sees, and that they try to mitigate the priority problems first.
Midgley added that city council approved a budget of more than $10 million in the next two years for a safe sidewalk initiative.
“Our goal is to make sure that the city is accessible, inclusive and safe for everybody. With that additional money that was provided by council, specifically for safe sidewalks, we’ve been able to do additional work this season,” he said.
However, for someone like Kleckner, who has to use a scooter to get around due to a fall this past winter, it isn’t as easy as just going onto the road.
“Not just me but all my neighbours and whoever, there’s elderly people, there’s kids that go to school, right now I’ve got security cameras and people are using my lawn as their walkway,” he said.
Kleckner said that his property taxes rose by $200 this past year, but he does not see his dollars going to work.
The city says with the new budget, about 50 per cent of this year’s projects have been completed, and they are optimistic that they will get out of the backlog by the end of next summer.
“We just really understand that there’s frustration from the residents and we’re doing our best to work through those back logs so we can get back to a better service level,” said Midgley.
Midgley added that they expect the project at Kleckner’s corner of Sherwood Drive and Hayes Crescent would be completed by the end of this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.