route to divert traffic south of the city. The Ministry of Highways had two other, related projects under consideration at that time: overpasses east of Regina to improve safety for White Butte communities, and a project west of the city to divert traffic of Dewdney Avenue. Each of these small projects were estimated at $400 million. A decision was made to combine these individual components into one project, the Regina Bypass, with a cost estimate (construction only) of $1.2 billion. The project is being undertaken as a public-private partnership (P3). Financial analysis from Ernst & Young determined the P3 option was $380 million cheaper than a typical government-led build. Other benefits attributed to the P3 include a faster construction schedule, better technology, and protection against cost overruns. Economic benefits The Regina Bypass is Saskatchewan's single largest single job creator since the railroad crossed western Canada in the 1880s. Construction alone is expected to create 8,200 jobs, in addition to spin-off effects generated by capital spending. In the long-term, the bypass will enhance the productivity of local businesses by providing cheaper, faster access to major trade routes including Highway 1 east–west and the Highway 6 connections to Edmonton and the United States. As of March 2017, construction had involved 95 Saskatchewan companies including Graham, the Broda Group, Brandt, Clifton Associates, Crestview Chrysler, Fraser Strategy, Inland Aggregates, Lonesome Prairie, Urban Systems, and Noremac. Environmental and heritage impact The proposal is studying the impact the new roadway will have on protected species of fauna in Saskatchewan such as the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Sprague's pipit {Anthus spragueii}, peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis), monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). Flora of Saskatchewan which may be impacted would be the prairie ragwort (Senecio plattensis) and Geyer's onion (Allium geyeri). The Presbyterian Indian Residential School Cemetery is also located in this vicinity north of Dewdney Avenue and east of Pinkie Road. The project is being planned to meet any requirements set forth under the Building Canada Plan as well as evaluation of project procedures for environmental concerns as set out by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Exit list Excludes the section of existing Saskatchewan Highway 1 that was upgraded as part of the project. See also List of Saskatchewan provincial highways References External links Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) Freeways in Saskatchewan Roads in