City coordinates major construction along College Drive into Downtown
Beginning the week of April 6, construction will take place along College Drive and into Downtown as the City moves ahead with several major infrastructure projects. The work includes:
- Link platform and dedicated transit lane construction on College Drive
- Repairs to a single arch (Arch D) under the University Bridge
- Water main lining on 25th Street
“Our focus is to maintain safety, ensure emergency access to hospitals at all times and to coordinate the work for all of these projects in a way that minimizes disruption wherever possible,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.
Willems says however, people travelling along College Drive – including those heading to hospitals, the University of Saskatchewan and nearby businesses – should expect delays and detours to get this necessary work done.
“When complete, these improvements will support reliable transit, safer active transportation, protect our bridge and provide safe, dependable water.”
Link Station Construction on College Drive
Construction is expected to begin with a full closure of University Bridge and College Drive between Clarence Avenue and Hospital Drive to private vehicles starting the week of April 6 and lasting eight to 10 weeks. During the closure:
- Emergency access to hospitals will be maintained
- Private vehicles will continue to be able to access the hospitals using westbound College Drive to Hospital Drive
- Saskatoon Transit will use eastbound lanes for approximately three weeks before being detoured
- Pedestrian access on the south side of the bridge will remain open
Link station construction will take place over two seasons and be completed in phases to reduce impacts as much as possible. Each stage is expected to take two to three months. Timing may change as work progresses.
Due to the full closure of University Bridge and College Drive between Clarence Avenue and Hospital Drive, people are asked to plan accordingly and consider other routes.
University Bridge Arch Repair
Repairs to Arch D under University Bridge, located over the river near Spadina Crescent, are expected to begin April 16 and take about three months. Work includes concrete repairs, refinishing the driving surface, drain repairs and crack sealing.
Two lanes on the opposite side of the bridge will remain open to maintain emergency access during this phase.
25th Street Water Main Lining
Phase I of water main rehabilitation will take place along 25th Street from 1st Avenue North to Spadina Crescent East, starting the week of May 19. Work is expected to take approximately four months and includes repaving following construction.
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during construction.
“We know that the summer construction season can be frustrating,” says Willems. “By combining these projects into the same construction season, we hope to lessen the impact over the long term and ultimately provide better services to our residents for years to come.”
For updates and project information, visit saskatoon.ca/construction or contact the Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476.
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