News Releases

For Immediate Release:  May 29, 2015

REMINDER: GREEN CART REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL JUNE 1

The City of Saskatoon optional Green Cart program has expanded so more residents can conveniently dispose of yard waste without putting it in their black garbage cart. Residents are reminded that new Green Cart registrations and renewals are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 1st.   Register and pay online at Saskatoon.ca/greencart.

For $55 we’ll collect your unbagged leaves, grass clippings and non-woody yard vegetation at the curb every two weeks from May to November. For more information visit Saskatoon.ca/greencart.

Food waste is not accepted in the 2015 Green Cart program.

There are more ways to keep yard waste out of your garbage cart.  The City’s compost depots are open for residents to drop off their leaves, grass and non-elm branches and tree trimmings free of charge. For locations and hours, visit Saskatoon.ca/compostdepots. And for home composters, the City offers a $20 rebate to residents who purchase a compost bin from a Saskatoon retailer in 2015. Visit Saskatoon.ca/homecomposting for information.

Yard waste isn’t garbage. When yard waste goes to the landfill, it’s mixed with garbage and quickly buried, often in an airless environment. Without oxygen, it doesn’t turn into soil or compost. Instead, it creates methane (a greenhouse gas much stronger than carbon dioxide) and garbage fluids called leachate, which have to be managed under strict environmental regulations.

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.

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NEW SATURDAY

3RD AVE N CLOSED FROM 20TH ST TO 21ST ST
(Storm Sewer Repair)
Start: May 30, 7:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS: BROADWAY AVE, SPADINA CRES, ST. HENRY ST, TAYLOR ST, RUTH ST, SASK CRES
(Saskatchewan Marathon)
Start: May 31, 6:30 a.m. End: May 31, 1:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Manhole Repair)
Start: May 31, 7:00 a.m. End: May 31, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

**EXPECT DELAYS**  WANUSKEWIN RD NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LENORE DR TO ADILMAN DR
(Resurfacing)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: May 31, 6:00 p.m. (Part of 4-week resurfacing project)

DIEFENBAKER DR CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER TCE TO KENSINGTON BLVD
(Paving)
Start: May 27, 9:00 a.m. End: June 2 , 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Intersection construction)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: June 6, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
*Note: Full closure in effect this weekend – Transit Shuttle detour via Broadway Bridge.
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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.

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Public Art Program invites all residents of the Sutherland and Forest Grove neighbourhoods, the business owners of the Sutherland Business Improvement District, and the community in general to a public art consultation for an upcoming art placement on Central Avenue.

Information will be provided on the Public Art Program, the Central Avenue streetscape project, and the history of Central Avenue.  The session will also provide an opportunity for residents to share stories and suggest possible themes to be included in the Call for Artists that will take place.

Central Avenue Public Art Consultation
Thursday, June 4, 2015
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Coffee’s on Emporium - 815A Gray Avenue

This is a come-and-go session with presentations from civic staff, including the City Archivist, the City Arts and Culture Consultant, and the City Urban Design Senior Planner.

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.

SPRING STREET SWEEPING PROGRAM AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

City street sweeping crews are ahead of where they were at this time last year due to favourable weather, as well as the careful planning and increased experience of City crews. Curb-to-curb street sweeping in residential areas is currently 59 per cent complete as compared to 38 per cent complete at this time in 2014.

“Four weeks into the program, we’ve swept 31 neighbourhoods, all five Business Improvement Districts, and will be wrapping up along Circle Drive tonight,” said Eric Quail, Roadways Manager. “We’ve removed 435 tandem dump truckloads of debris. Last week alone, crews swept 1.6 million square meters of pavement or the equivalent of 198 football fields.”

For the second year in a row, curb-to-curb cleaning in school zones is occurring at night. School zones in Dundonald, Hudson Bay Park, Westview, Lawson Heights and Massey Place were swept Wednesday and Thursday nights, and crews will be in College Park East and Erindale on Monday night. When scheduled, the area will be clearly marked with bright yellow street sweeping sandwich boards identical to the daytime sweeping signs, but with an 8:00 p.m. starting time. To avoid the $100 fine and the inconvenience of locating a towed vehicle, vehicles in marked school zones must be off the street by 8:00 p.m. on the posted day.

“We’re putting the safety of students first by sweeping neighbourhood school zones outside of school hours,” continued Quail. “When we swept school zones during daytime hours, we found a lot of vehicles stopping in front of the school which leads to increased traffic congestion and reduced visibility. As well, younger children would gather near the street to watch crews at work.”

Overall, the City is seeing a slight dip in compliance for the street sweeping program this year, and is urging drivers to comply with the yellow street sweeping signs to avoid a ticket or vehicle relocation. Compared to last year at this time, an average of 8 per cent more parking tickets are being issued per day, and relocation tows are up 18 per cent. Relocated vehicles can be found through the City’s Find My Vehicle! application at saskatoon.ca/betterroads or by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E SB OFF RAMP TO 8TH ST E LANE RESTRICTIONS
(Crack filling)
Start: May 29, 4:00 a.m. End: May 29, 4:00 p.m.

**EXPECT DELAYS**  WANUSKEWIN RD NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LENORE DR TO GOERZEN ST
(Resurfacing)
Start: May 29, 7:00 a.m. End: May 29, 6:00 p.m. (Part of 4-week resurfacing project)

ONGOING

QUEEN ST CLOSED BETWEEN 1ST AVE & 2ND AVE
(Water connection repair)
Queen St traffic use King St or 25th St
Start: May 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 29, 6:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER TCE TO KENSINGTON BLVD
(Paving)
Start: May 27, 9:00 a.m. End: May 28, 6:00 p.m.

MILLAR AVE NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 68TH ST & 71ST ST
(Road work)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: May 28, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Intersection construction)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: June 6, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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.

The Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) is pleased to announce the release of the Interim Development Strategy, available now on www.partnershipforgrowth.ca.

“The Interim Development Strategy is an important milestone in the P4G Regional Plan process. The Interim Development Strategy was completed to respond to development pressures by creating a process to allow some development to proceed while the Regional Plan is being developed,” says Alex Fallon, Chair of the Regional Oversight Committee.

Fallon, who is also President and CEO of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, says “the Interim Development Strategy identifies development projects of joint interest to the P4G municipalities and highlights how projects can proceed at the same time the P4G Regional Plan is being developed.”

Information about the Interim Development Strategy will also be available at the upcoming Regional Plan public open houses on June 2 and 3, 2015.

Fallon adds, “The Regional Plan, which is expected to be completed by mid-2016, will consist of plans for land use, transportation, infrastructure, and servicing.  It will also outline the strategies needed for implementation and propose new governance and administrative structures for the region.“

“The goal of the Regional Plan is to ensure each of the five partnering municipalities can benefit from growth opportunities, increase efficiencies, and reduce costs by working together.”

For more Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) Announcements and News Releases, visit www.partnershipforgrowth.ca or connect with the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth on Twitter and Facebook.

Since 2010, the Saskatoon Fire Department has been delivering ‘After the Fire’ packages containing fire safety information to homes in the vicinity of a devastating fire.  These packages provide people with information about the fire and if applicable, steps that could be taken to avoid a similar fire on their property.

The Saskatoon Fire Department finds that timely safety information is especially welcome immediately following a fire in their neighbourhood.

An ‘After the Fire Drop’ consists of 100 packages containing a letter to the residents with information about that particular fire and safety sheets and brochures related to the cause of the fire.

In 2014, the Department delivered ‘After the Fire’ packages 13 times. Currently we are seeing an increase in the number of fires and have two drops scheduled for today and tomorrow

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NEW

CIRCLE DR SINGLE LANE RESTRICTIONS BETWEEN CIRCLE DR NORTH BRIDGE & ATTRIDGE DR
(Crack filling)
Start: May 28, 4:00 a.m. End: May 28, 4:00 p.m.

**EXPECT DELAYS**  WANUSKEWIN RD NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LENORE DR TO GOERZEN ST
(Resurfacing)
Start: May 28, 7:00 a.m. End: May 29, 6:00 p.m. (Part of 4-week resurfacing project)

QUEEN ST CLOSED BETWEEN 5TH AVE & 6TH AVE
(Water & sewer connection)
Start: May 28, 7:30 a.m. End: May 28, 6:00 p.m.

QUEEN ST CLOSED BETWEEN 1ST AVE & 2ND AVE
(Water connection repair)
Queen St traffic use King St or 25th St
Start: May 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 29, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

DIEFENBAKER DR CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER TCE TO KENSINGTON BLVD
(Paving)
Start: May 27, 9:00 a.m. End: May 28, 6:00 p.m.

MILLAR AVE NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 68TH ST & 71ST ST
(Road work)
Start: May 26, 7:00 a.m. End: May 28, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Roadwork)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 30, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water Main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: May 30, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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.

Cool off this summer at any of the 17 City of Saskatoon spray pads located around the city. Summer spray pads will open for the season on Monday, June 1, 2015, at 10 a.m. and will be operational daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Please note, spray pad sites located on or near school grounds have timers and are set to turn spray features off during recess and lunch breaks.  Shut-off times will vary according to individual school schedules.  All spray pads are activated by push buttons located near the spray features.

 To find a spray pad location near you, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/spraypads or call 306-975-3378.

 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.

Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Block, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, and Brad Woodside, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Mayor of the City of Fredericton, New Brunswick, today announced a Green Municipal Fund^TM (GMF) grant contribution of $58,150 for the City of Saskatoon. The funding has been put toward a feasibility study for a district energy system (DES) that would provide efficient low-carbon heating from a single source to buildings in the north downtown area.

“Our Government is helping municipalities across the country to achieve their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for their citizens through the Green Municipal Fund,” said Parliamentary Secretary Block. “Today’s announcement is another example of how our government — in partnership with the FCM — is helping communities like the City of Saskatoon build a greener future for our citizens.”

“The Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically addresses the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments,” said Mr. Woodside. “The financing and knowledge provided by the Fund support the development of communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

The study will consider the technical and financial feasibility of a natural gas DES to cover approximately 100 hectares in Saskatoon. It would serve City Hall and other existing buildings, and grow in conjunction with 430,000 m² of new residential and commercial development. Results of the study will be reported in summer 2015.

A combined heat and power DES for the study area would reduce CO₂ emissions by 33,000 to 44,000 tonnes per year. Saskatoon has also investigated the use of deep-well ground source heating and waste heat from the Queen Elizabeth Power Station.

“Development of a district energy system demonstrates Saskatoon’s commitment to growth based on the triple bottom-line of environmental, financial and social needs,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “By conserving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can grow a greener Saskatoon for us all.”

The Government of Canada endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal FundÔ. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of both public and private-sector funding to reach higher standards of air, water and soil quality, and climate protection.

FCM has been the national voice of municipal governments since 1901. It fosters the development of sustainable communities to improve quality of life by promoting strong, effective, and accountable municipal government.

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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