News Releases

Starting Tuesday, September 1, 2015, crews will begin pruning trees on civic property in the Nutana (Central and North) neighbourhood and Confederation Park neighbourhood as part of the City of Saskatoon’s (City) overall boulevard tree maintenance program.

The boulevard tree maintenance program follows a regular pruning cycle to help preserve the health and appearance of the City’s boulevard and park tree inventory.  Removing dead wood from elm trees is an important part of preventing the spread of Dutch elm disease.  Maintenance crews will remove any broken, dead, weak, and diseased branches.  Keeping sidewalks and roads free of any hazards, crews will also remove any tree parts that are obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic and maintain appropriate clearances from buildings, signs, and streetlights.  Tree maintenance operations in these two neighbourhoods will continue until the middle of December.

Tree maintenance often requires road restrictions.  The City reminds pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to ensure that safety is a priority by respecting the work zone appropriately and obeying all road restrictions and signage.

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.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: 22ND ST W WB/EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM AVE S N TO AVE T N
(Roadway repair)
One curb lane will remain open
Start: August 28, 9:00 a.m. End: August 28, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO HART RD
(Resurfacing)
One centre lane will remain open
Start: August 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 a.m.

22ND ST W EB CENTRE & CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO HART RD
One median lane will remain open
Start: August 28, 7:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST EB LANES CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 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.

Brown bears, Koda and Mistaya, are turning 10!  Join us as we celebrate their birthday on Friday, August 28, 2015, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the brown bear enclosure in the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.

Zookeepers have planned a special picnic lunch for the bears on their big day and there will be "cub" cakes provided to children (first-come, first-served).

The Saskatoon Zoo Society will also be hosting “investigation stations” to learn more about these animals along with face painting and a photo booth for children, so bring your camera!

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo and the Saskatoon Zoo Society welcome everyone to enjoy the birthday celebration, free with the purchase of regular Zoo admission.

Donations will be accepted and put toward the purchase of equipment that will enhance the bears’ enclosure.  Also, for every $40 of brown bear “Adopt-a-Critter” purchased on August 28, 2015, $10 will be donated toward new equipment.

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.

As we enter the final months of a busy construction season, the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) would like to remind drivers to slow down when passing construction workers or vehicles and pay attention to work zone signage. Between May 1 and July 31, 2015, the SPS issued 58 fines for speeding in construction zones.

“The number of offences spiked in July, which is one of our busiest months for construction,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “This is the time of year many drivers start to get frustrated with construction delays, but it’s important not to become complacent as all of our safety is at risk. We urge drivers to continue to slow down, pay attention and respect work zones.”

The Saskatoon Police Service enforces the City’s Traffic Bylaw and the provincial Traffic Safety Act and fines for speeding in construction zones start at $210. Workers can also report violations to the SPS when there’s no physical police presence and this may result in fines or charges.

“We know that these incidents are more common than we are seeing and this is one of the reasons that we encourage crews to record incidents and provide us with as much information as possible to follow up,” says Staff Sergeant Judy McHarg. “There are still one to two months of road work planned this construction season, and officers will be paying special attention to work sites in the coming weeks; disrespecting the signage and speed restrictions will not be tolerated.”

Gardiner also wishes to remind pedestrians and cyclists to respect work zone signage. Cyclists are subject to the same traffic control devices that apply to vehicle traffic. To ensure worker, pedestrian and cyclist safety, staying alert and obeying signage is key. Cyclists should stop and wait for cars to pass before merging into the open lane, and remember that it’s only safe to proceed through the work zone when it’s clearly marked and identified for cyclists to do so.

“Our workers face multiple hazards in the work zone – cyclists and pedestrians should not be one of them,” says Gardiner. “Work zone safety is everyone’s business.”

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.

Active Like a Girl is a free annual one-day sports event for girls ages 10 to 14 that will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2015, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SaskTel Sports Centre (150 Nelson Road).

Girls are invited to experience soccer, floor hockey, and wheelchair basketball with world class Olympians and 2015 Parapan American athletes:

Colleen Sostorics, Olympian (Women’s Ice Hockey)

Played extensively for Canada at the international level with achievements including three Olympic gold medals, three gold and three silver medals at the Women’s World Championships, and five gold medals and one silver medal at the 4 Nations Cup.

Deidra Dionne, Olympian (Freestyle Aerial Ski)

A bronze medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics in freestyle aerial ski.  She also won bronze medals at the 2001 and 2003 FIS World Freestyle Ski Championships.

Erica Gavel, Parapan American Silver Medalist (Wheelchair Basketball)

After playing basketball for the University of Saskatchewan, her career was cut short by a knee injury, until she discovered the same passion for wheelchair basketball.  Since taking up the sport in 2012, she has earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama, a gold medal at the 2014 Canadian Junior National Wheelchair Basketball Championships, and a silver medal at the 2015 Parapan Games.

Active Like a Girl is hosted by the City of Saskatoon’s Community Development Division, in partnership with Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan, Sask Sport Inc., and Women in Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation.

Register by September 10, 2015, by calling 306-975-3378.  Transportation services are available; please inquire when registering.

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.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: 22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO HART RD
(Resurfacing)
One median (inside) lane will remain open
Start: August 27, 7:00 a.m. End: August 28, 6:00 a.m.

PRESTON AVE S SB CENTRE LANE CLOSED FROM 14TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Sewer connection work)
Start: August 27, 6:30 a.m. End: August 27, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST EB LANES CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 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.

Today, City Council approved an overall electrical rate increase of 2 per cent. For the average residential customer this is a monthly increase of approximately $1.70. The rate increase is effective September 1, 2015.

A few tips to reduce your energy use as we approach winter:

1. Ensure your home is well insulated and properly sealed.
2. Ensure indoor humidity levels are 30% to 50%.
3. Install an automatic timer on your lights.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: 22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO HART RD
(Resurfacing)
One median (inside) lane will remain open
Start: August 26, 7:00 a.m. End: August 27, 6:00 a.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM MCCLOCKLIN RD TO CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Start: August 26, 7:00 a.m. End: October 7, 6:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Concrete work)
Start: August 26, 9:00 a.m. End: August 26, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: UNIVERSITY BRIDGE EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED
(Bridge deck sealing)
Start: August 26, 9:00 p.m. End: August 27, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: COLLEGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO CLARENCE AVE N
(Bridge deck sealing)
2-way traffic in WB lanes
Start: August 26, 9:00 p.m. End: August 27, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: 22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO HART RD
(Resurfacing)
One median (inside) lane will remain open
Start: August 25, 7:00 a.m. End: August 26, 6:00 a.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Concrete work)
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 25, 3:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE NB LANES CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 10TH ST E
(Utility cut repair)
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 25, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO CLARENCE AVE N
(Bridge deck sealing)
2-way traffic in WB lanes
Start: August 25, 9:00 p.m. End: August 26, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

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

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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) temporary public art program takes a look at its 20-year history with the selection of the 2015 project, 66 Physiognomies, led by local artist Jinzhe Cui.

Cui’s project responds to and interprets the past 66 Placemaker artworks with a traditional Chinese-style scroll ink drawing, illustrated cards, a video, and an artist’s book.  The scroll will be on display at City Hall until September 7, 2015, and then be rotated to other locations around Saskatoon until the end of the year. There will be six public events that include an outdoor video projection, interviews, meditation, and distribution of the cards to the participants and collaboration with other artists, volunteers, and community organizations.

Cui is collaborating with Aboriginal artist and designer, Jeff Chief; Métis researcher, writer, and editor, Andrea des Roches; and Researcher and Chemist, Jiapei Wang.

The Public Art Advisory Committee selected the proposal at its April 24^th, 2015 meeting, after considering six proposals from local artist teams. The proposal was selected for its diverse team, the opportunity the project provides to discuss the role of temporary public art in the city, and for Cui’s artistic skill.

The public events will occur at various locations in the city throughout the late summer and early fall.  For date and location details and more information regarding the Placemaker Program, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/placemaker.

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.