Progress continues on Link rapid transit, with College Drive concept designs and removal of pedestrian overpass approved

City Council has finalized key details of the Link rapid transit route along College Drive with approval to remove the above-street pedestrian overpass along the route as it no longer meets accessibility standards, with a street-level accessible crosswalk taking its place. The current crosswalk at Bottomley Avenue further west will also be removed for better traffic flow.

Council approved the finalized concept plan in June with just the question about the pedestrian crosswalk remaining for the July meeting. Link remains on course to launch city-wide service in 2028.

“College Drive plays a crucial role in the Link network—it serves as a major corridor for residents, students and workers traveling across Saskatoon,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager, Transportation and Construction Division. “In 2025 we are on track to build approximately 44 station platforms city-wide, expanding significantly from the six built last year. With the College corridor concept plan now finalized we can look at beginning to work on College Drive in 2026.”

The dedicated centre running rapid transit lanes for Link on College Drive and 1st Avenue were approved by Council in 2019, following extensive public consultation and technical development. With upgrades to the College Drive corridor slated to begin next year, the Link team will continue work to finalize the concept plan for the 1^st Avenue corridor from 19^th Street to 25^th Street, with detailed design and tenders for the work to follow. Work on the design of the 1^st Avenue corridor is currently ongoing, and it is anticipated that public and stakeholder information sessions for the concept plan will take place this autumn, with a report to City Council planned for late 2025 or early 2026.

“The majority of the funding for Link—over 73 per cent—is being provided by the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada,” Schmidt adds. “Once complete, this system will transform transit in Saskatoon by offering more frequent, efficient and reliable service across the city.”

For more information on Link and how it will transform transit in Saskatoon, please visit saskatoon.ca/link.