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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.