Regina Bypass
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Status: In Operation
Provincial/Federal/Municipal: Provincial
Value of Partnership: $1.88 billion (NPV)
Type of P3: DBFOM
Financial Close: July 2015
Substantial Completion: October 2017 (Phase 1 substantial completion achieved), October 2019 (Substantial completion achieved for entire project)
Handback: 2049
The Regina Bypass is one of Saskatchewan’s most significant transportation infrastructure investments. The project reshaped regional traffic patterns, improved safety on key approaches to Regina and strengthened connections to major provincial and national freight routes.
The development addressed a long-standing safety concern and growing traffic volumes around the city. Before its construction, drivers travelling from communities east of Regina accessed the Trans-Canada Highway through non-signalized, at-grade intersections, often in poor visibility and winter weather. The new corridor removes these conflict points, and collision levels have declined noticeably since its opening in 2019.
In May 2014, after more than a decade of detailed planning and broad public consultation, the Saskatchewan government announced it would build the Regina Bypass using a design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) public-private partnership (P3) delivery model.
By using this approach, the project was completed on time and within budget six years sooner than it would have been using a traditional design-bid-build (DBB) delivery model and saved Saskatchewan taxpayers an estimated $379.9 million NPV over the project lifetime. In addition, at construction completion, the project had no claims and a near flawless safety record.
The $1.88-billion program built 60 kilometres of new four-lane highway, 12 interchanges, 55 kilometres of service roads and the twinning of Highway 6. Additionally, it introduced several design features not previously used on Saskatchewan’s highway network, including two modern roundabouts and the province’s first diverging-diamond interchange. These elements increase intersection capacity, reduce delays and support safer, efficient travel across the region.
Construction took place in two phases, beginning with the segment between Balgonie and Highway 33 and followed by the stretch from Highway 33 to Highway 11. Maintaining traffic on Highway 1 throughout construction required detailed sequencing and the early completion of a south service road near Pilot Butte.
The project generated substantial economic activity, with broad participation from Saskatchewan employers and significant job creation during peak construction. Once opened, the bypass improved travel times around Regina and eased pressure on existing bridges and roadways, contributing to smoother movement of goods and more reliable commuter routes.
Partners:
Public: Government of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways)
Private: Regina Bypass Partners (VINCI Concessions S.A.S, Graham Capital LP, Parsons Enterprises Inc., Carmacks Enterprises Ltd., VINCI Construction Terrassement, Graham Infrastructure LP, Parsons Canada Ltd.)
Awards: National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s' Gold Award in Infrastructure, 2020
