City of Saskatoon announces significant progress in Sidewalk Safety Repair Program
In addition to the City’s Major Preservation Program for sidewalks, City crews undertake minor repairs to numerous sidewalks to improve safety and mobility for pedestrians.
The Sidewalk Safety Repair Program has undergone major enhancements over the last three years. This has led to the completion of nearly 18 km of sidewalk safety repairs in 2021 and 2022, representing a substantial increase to an average of 2.6 km typically completed in the years leading up to 2021. The program remains on track for continued progress in 2023, with 2.8 km of sidewalk repairs already completed this season.
“The City of Saskatoon remains committed to keeping sidewalks well-maintained, accessible and safe for all pedestrians,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support.
Recognizing the importance of well-maintained sidewalks, the City's new process for inspecting, prioritizing, and then repairing damaged sidewalk panels that create safety concerns has yielded substantial increase in accomplishments. More than 1,600 sidewalk concerns were resolved in 2021 and 2022.
The advancements in the program included several process and resource improvements:
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Criteria such as safety and pedestrian use has been adopted to more effectively prioritize sidewalk repair work.
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Improved tool and method for capturing relevant inspection information enables better decision making.
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A new work planning system empowers crews to prioritize and execute work orders more efficiently.
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A new process for tracking and reporting Key Performance Indicators has improved transparency, accountability, and program management.
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The creation of a central information database enables prompt and comprehensive responses to residents' inquiries.
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Improved cross-departmental collaboration has resulted in better coordination of repair work with other programs such as sidewalk replacement program.
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Improved resourcing has resulted in timelier and better-quality inspections, including improved capacity to deliver more work.
“The success of the Sidewalk Repair Program exemplifies City’s dedication to continuous improvement and serves as a testament to the positive impact of collaboration, innovation and effort,” says Saric.
Saskatoon boasts a network of 2,386 km of sidewalks, spanning a distance of about half the width of the United States. This essential infrastructure is crucial to the mobility and safety of residents across the city.
To report a sidewalk safety concern, please call our Customer Care Center, available 24/7 at 306-975-2476.
More information on sidewalk repairs is available at saskatoon.ca/sidewalks.