Mall-front intersection part of effort to improve area

The City of Estevan has been planning to upgrade an intersection near the Estevan Shopper's Mall and they recently received some funds to complete that.

This goes along with the mall's owners also redesigning the interior and exterior, with the city hoping the redone intersection will improve access.

The intersection has been worked on during the fall, with lights set to go into the poles already up.

Jeff Ward, City Manager for the City of Estevan, says that the city and mall are working together to improve the experience for residents.

"This will be a lighted intersection at Pine Avenue that will ideally funnel traffic into the front of the mall. They're redesigning the front of the mall, you can go to the mall and see from the print-outs and the designs that they're planning to do there."

Ward says he believes the upgrades will contribute to a rise in the standard of living and employment in the city.

The full upgrade costs some money, which has been funded through a federal funding initiative.

"It's approximately about $450,000 to get a full lighted intersection with electrical service, asphalt, and concrete work, to make that area," said Ward, "It was great to get some federal funding through PrariesCan as part of an economic development initiative."

There have been some concerns that another set of lights on King Street would slow down the traffic.

Ward says that's one concern they're keeping in mind as they look to the future of the front of that mall.

"Until we get the lights up and the full intersection is done with the mall front entrance, we'll be looking at efficiencies at that time. We have heard that concern, but our engineering and traffic department feel that this helps to create a safer crossing, especially for individuals potentially from the high school wanting to access the mall."

Ward says he's hoping to keep those pedestrians safe while also making sure that King Street is as efficient as possible.