News Releases

The northwest leg of Stonebridge Common connecting Preston Avenue to Gordon Road will open today in time for the afternoon commute. The opening of this portion of roadway completes the Stonebridge Common loop and provides increased access for residents of the Stonebridge neighbourhood.

Crews continue to work on storm sewer connections to facilitate the new school site on Gordon Road between the east and west legs of Stonebridge Common. This work is expected to be complete by November 18, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. The current detours will be adjusted to accommodate the opening of the Stonebridge Common northwest leg.

The City thanks residents for their patience as the involved developers worked to achieve the necessary zoning requirements to open the roadway before winter.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

Due to the mild weather that Saskatoon has been enjoying, final day of operations for the West Compost Depot has been extended to Sunday, November 8. Residents now have two extra days to bring their unbagged Halloween pumpkins, leaves, grass and non-elm branches to the depot.

West – Highway 7 Depot

• Located at the junction of Highway 7 and 11th Street West
• Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday (November 6-8, 2015)
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Closed for the season beginning Monday, November 9

Please note that vehicles will not be admitted into the depot after 5:45 p.m.

Due to the fact that it is not a permanent location, the East Depot will remain closed for the season. Compost materials from the east side will be transferred to the West Depot for processing.

The compost depots will re-open in April, 2016. For more information, including the types of material accepted, visit saskatoon.ca/compost.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The City will make further strides toward improving waste management following the announcement today the province will launch its Multi-Material Recycling Program (MMRP).

“This is much welcome news,” says Environment and Corporate Initiatives Director Brenda Wallace.  “The funding for municipal recycling initiatives will help ensure our programs are financially sustainable as we work toward our goal of seventy per cent waste diversion by 2023.”

The MMRP is an initiative cost-shared between businesses and municipalities to provide funding to collect recyclables such as newsprint, cardboard, plastic and glass packaging.

An arms-length agency, Multi-Material Stewardship Western (MMSW) collects fees from businesses that produce, sell or distribute packaging to Saskatchewan homes; it then reimburses the municipalities for collecting the recyclables from those products.

Under the program the City could be eligible for more than $900,000 in funding.

“The amount of material diverted from the landfill can reduce environmental impacts,” Wallace says.  “There is no doubt, the funding will help ensure recycling efforts continue to extend the operating life of the landfill and lighten the load on city taxpayers in future.”

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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Saskatoon Transit, including Access Transit, will provide complimentary bus transportation to and from the 2015 Remembrance Day Ceremonies at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, November 11. The free bus service will depart as follows:

Downtown Special Events Stop (23^rd Street & 2^nd Avenue) – buses will depart every 15 minutes between 9:00 and 10:15 a.m.

Market Mall – Departure from the mall transit terminal at 9:45 a.m.

The Centre Mall – Departure from the mall transit terminal at 9:45 a.m.

Return trips will begin immediately following the close of ceremonies (approximately 12:15 p.m.). Free service to and from SaskTel Centre will also be available for individuals using Access Transit - regular booking procedures apply.

For more information on Transit’s free Remembrance Day service, please call Transit Customer Service at 306-975-3100.

A special thank you to RBC Royal Bank for proudly sponsoring the free transit service.

Learn more about Saskatoon Transit service by visiting saskatoontransit.ca or following @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The City of Saskatoon reminds residents that the final round of public engagement for the Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan) closes at midnight, Sunday, November 8, 2015.

Have your say!  Visit www.growingfwd.ca to review the final draft plan and provide feedback on the proposed long-term plans and implementation priorities for a new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); redevelopment along major corridors like 8^th Street, 22^nd Street, Preston Avenue, and College Drive; and a new river crossing connecting 33^rd Street to Preston Avenue, combined with dedicated BRT lanes on the University Bridge.

Once complete, the Growth Plan will help guide future infrastructure investments and land-use decisions so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.

For more information on the Growth Plan, or to sign up for project update notifications, visit www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon is accepting applications for vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Animal Control, the Albert Community Centre Management Committee, the Library Board, the Centennial Auditorium & Convention Centre Board of Directors (TCU Place), and the Board of Revision/License Appeal Board.

Interested candidates should submit their application, resumé, and two letters of reference using the on-line Committee Application Form and Reference Form located at saskatoon.ca/boards.  The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday November 27, 2015.  All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further openings occur.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Saskatoon’s oldest public artwork, the Sergeant (Sgt.) Hugh Cairns Monument has been successfully restored.  While in remarkably good shape for its age, the marble sculpture required professional cleaning and repointing of its granite base.  The work was completed in October of this year as part of the City’s ongoing effort to conserve its collection of commemorations and monuments for future generations. 

The Sgt. Hugh Cairns Monument is a carved marble figure of Saskatoon’s own Hugh Cairns with a soccer ball beneath his foot and a hand on his hip, standing atop a four-piece granite base.  Engraved in the base is a 75-name honour roll of Saskatoon soccer players killed in the First World War.  The monument was installed on the south edge of Kinsmen Park in 1921, on the very field where Hugh Cairns and fellow athletes played soccer before the war.

Hugh Cairns was killed in action in France on November 2, 1918.  On November 1, 1919, he was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.  He was also awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion of Honour.

The City gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada – Veterans Affairs Canada for funds granted from the Cenotaph/Monument Restoration Program.  The City would also like to thank the Military Institute of Saskatoon for supporting the grant application. 

For more information on this monument and other artworks and commemorations in the City’s collection, please visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only. For updates on road restrictions on other streets including residential, check our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map or Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts.

ONGOING

UPDATE: IDYLWYLD FWY NB ONRAMP FROM 8TH ST & LORNE AVENUE CLOSED
(Valve installation)

Use Taylor Street or Broadway Ave. More details saskatoon.ca/LorneSewerRehab
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

CLAYPOOL DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO MCCLOCKIN RD
(Road construction/landscaping)
Start: November 2, 3:00 p.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

HWY 11 SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM VICTOR RD TO CIRCLE DR
(Road construction)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB curb lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: November 10, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB/NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SAUNDERS PL TO 19TH ST E
(Expansion joint repairs)
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 13, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

A snow storm can happen any day, any time, which is why the City of Saskatoon is ready 24/7 to sand, salt and plow streets as we head into winter. The City’s plan for snow and ice operations this winter builds on last year’s successes, and focusses on providing better winter roads to keep Saskatoon moving during and after a snowfall.

“Last year we introduced some improvements to our operations to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies in the delivery of service, resulting in cost savings and better roads,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “This year we will benefit from those improvements, as we apply our continuous improvement model to identify efficiencies for the snow and ice programs.”

Last winter, the City piloted an anti-icing technique called pre-wetting. A sanding truck was modified to spray a magnesium-chloride brine to the salt/sand blend as it was applied to the road surface. The benefits are two-fold: the sand adheres better to the roadway and ice to improve traction, and activates the salt at lower temperatures to melt any ice that has formed. Due to its effectiveness, this program will be expanded from one to four sanders this year.

Also new this year, sanders will be outfitted with GPS software that can track the location of vehicles, sanding activities and the amount of product used in real-time. This data can then be used to create more efficient routes and processes that use less sand and fuel and achieve equivalent or improved results.

“During and immediately after a snow event, plowing and grading will occur on priority streets to keep the high-traffic streets in good driving condition,” says Hyde. “Later in the season, when the overall average snowpack on residential streets reaches a minimum of 15 centimetres, streets may be graded to reduce the potential for ruts forming. Snow grading and removal may occur as required along narrow, congested streets with no space for snow storage.”

ENTER TO WIN!

While City Crews wait for the first snow event of the season, residents are invited to enter our Winter is Coming contest to predict when that day might be. Guess the date of our first snow event (5+ cm of snow) and you could win a $100 City of Saskatoon Leisure Gift Card. Enter at saskatoon.ca/snow.

Snow What to Do this winter by visiting saskatoon.ca/snow. Find real time Snow & Ice and Traffic Detour alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts or follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

NEW

33RD ST E EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 1:30 p.m.

HWY 11 SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM VICTOR RD TO CIRCLE DR
(Road construction)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD FWY NB ONRAMP FROM 8TH ST & LORNE AVENUE CLOSED
(Valve installation)
Use Taylor Street or Broadway Ave. More details saskatoon.ca/LorneSewerRehab
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 6:00 p.m.

CLAYPOOL DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO MCCLOCKIN RD
(Road construction/landscaping)
Start: November 2, 3:00 p.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB curb lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: November 10, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB/NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM SAUNDERS PL TO 19TH ST E
(Expansion joint repairs)
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 13, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.