Central Avenue and Attridge Drive are classified as major arterials and can be expected to carry 10,000 to 30,000 vehicles per day. The most recent traffic counts on Attridge Drive showed an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 30,000 vehicles per day. Central Avenue had an ADT of 15,000 vehicles per day.

Regular monitoring and traffic studies have determined that the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive has been experiencing lengthy delays during the morning, afternoon and evening peak hours.  This intersection leads to and from the Silverspring, Sutherland and Forest Grove, Willowgrove and University Heights neighbourhoods. Those living in these neighbourhoods use this intersection as access to the downtown and to Preston Crossing. The traffic demands on this intersection can be expected to increase with the completion of the Willowgrove and University Heights Suburban Centre neighbourhoods within the next few years, and development of the new Evergreen neighbourhood.

The City of Saskatoon has commissioned AECOM to undertake a Functional Planning Study which will look at opportunities for intersection improvements and make recommendations for future changes at the intersection, including the possible development of an interchange.

THE FUNCTIONAL PLANNING STUDY INCLUDES:

• Assessment of the current use of the intersection;
• Evaluation of options for improving the safety and capacity of the current configuration;
• Evaluation of the options for replacement of the current intersection with an arterial/arterial interchange;
• Provisions for cyclists and pedestrian facilities for Central Avenue and Attridge Drive.
• It is anticipated that at least one open house will be held to present the recommended plan to the public and to receive feedback.
  

Community Engagement

On March 9, 2011 the City hosted a “come-and-go” open house at Sutherland Hall, where the project team provided information, answered questions and gathered comments about potential improvements to the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive. 

Open House Documents (PDFs):

Frequently Asked Questions (includes preferred interchange design)
Storyboards - Introduction
Storyboards - Background
Storyboards - Interchange Options
Storyboards - Next Steps

For more information, please contact Shirley Matt at 975-3145 or shirley.matt@saskatoon.ca.

CENTRAL AVENUE AND ATTRIDGE DRIVE FACTS:

Road Classification- Major Arterial designed to carry up to 30,000 vehicles per day.

Driving Lanes:

Central Avenue - 2 lanes in each direction, no on-street parking, dual left turning lanes and bay for northbound traffic, channelized right turn for northbound traffic and southbound traffic.

Attridge Drive – 3 driving lanes eastbound and 2 driving lanes in westbound, no on-street parking , left turn lane bay for eastbound and westbound traffic and channelized right turn for both directions.

Speed Limit:   Central Avenue – 50 kph     Attridge Drive - 70 kph

Traffic Signals:  Full set of signals at the intersection with left turn arrows for all directions.

Multi-use pathways:

Southwest corner - path leading from the outer edge of the Sutherland neighbourhood to 108th Street, connecting to the University of Saskatchewan.

Northwest corner- path leading to Sutherland Beach and connecting to the Meewasin Valley trail.

Cyclist Usage:

A recent pedestrian study completed during peak times on September 15, 2010 shows that cyclists accessing the multi-use pathways make up 85% of non-vehicle use of the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive. The remaining 15% is walkers and joggers.

Vehicle Traffic Data

The latest study, conducted in 2007, shows that the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive has high volumes of vehicle traffic and is used at all hours. (Click on graph for larger image)

Pedestrian/Cyclist Data

Pedestrian and Cyclist data was measured at this location to determine usage during peak hours (times when usage is considered to be the highest through the day). The following graph shows the pedestrian and cyclist activity at this location on September 15, 2010 during these peak hours.  The graph indicates that cyclists are using the intersection more than pedestrians at a ratio of 85% cyclists to 15% pedestrians. (Click graph for larger image)