While many construction projects in Regina are nearing their end, some residents and businesses are wondering when Dewdney Avenue will reopen.

For four years, Rooted Living Designs has made Dewdney Avenue their home.

However, with the street being closed for the past seven months due to the Dewdney Avenue Corridor Revitalization Project, the owner said traffic has been challenging.

“We definitely see an impact with the Dewdney construction and its delay. We have to push every single day to try to get people through our doors,” co-owner Tyler Polowy said.

“We’re one of the only stores impacted by foot traffic on Dewdney. A lot of the restaurants are going for birthday parties, a lot of the esthetic places or tattoo places along here have appointment based so being a retail store, we definitely felt it.”

The City of Regina’s two-year project focuses on replacing aging underground infrastructure along with revitalizing the landscape between Albert Street and Broad Street.

Although Polowy said communication with the city for updates on the project have been consistent, he is still unsure when the street will reopen.

“They have been good with the emails back and forth from the city, and from Lance with the Regina Warehouse District. He has been great as well sending updates monthly,” Polowy shared.

“We were told it was going to be ahead of schedule in September, end of September it was going to be done. Then we were told the end of October. Now we’re being told the end of November. We’re hoping that by the end of November or before the snow hits, that it is open.”

Another business down the street said it’s hopeful the project will be completed by the end of the month.

“The work on Dewdney Avenue is necessary in order to facilitate the development of the Rail Yards Area across the street,” shared Grant Frew, bar manager at Bushwakker Brewpub.

“Right now we’re just doing the finishing touches. We can see the traffic lights are going in. There’s still some work to be done on CN Rail with the train crossing just down the street. The city says it should be ready to go by the end of this month. We can’t wait.”

Frew added the city has been very communicative with his business throughout the construction season.

“From what I can see, and the communication I’ve had with the city, they’ve been fairly transparent and honest. They are feeling confident they’re going to have it done by the end of the month,” Frew said.

“I’m with them, I’m looking forward to it. I have confidence. Fingers crossed, of course, but, yeah it’s looking good.”