News Releases

The City of Saskatoon today announced the major road and other infrastructure projects that will lead the 2014 season. Saskatoon’s most aggressive program of road construction, maintenance and rehabilitation is underway with over $50 million targeted to projects ranging from major roadwork to residential streets and sidewalks. The investment represents 47 per cent more than was budgeted last year.

“Approximately $23.8 million will be invested in road and sidewalk rehabilitation alone,” said Chris Hallam, Director of Construction & Design for the City of Saskatoon. “That’s 178 lane kilometers of road work – which is about the same distance from here to Kindersley and 100 kilometers more than we did last year.”

Through the City of Saskatoon’s 2013 Civic Services Survey, residents identified road conditions as the single most important issue facing the city.

Although road construction, repair and rehabilitation is the centrepiece of the City’s efforts this year, a number of other infrastructure projects will be addressed this season.

Approximately $8.2 million will be spent on rehabilitating nearly 14 kilometers of water mains, and storm and sanitary sewers, throughout the city. Soundwalls will be constructed along Circle Drive near Preston Avenue. Nearly $144 million will be spent on building and developing infrastructure for Saskatoon’s new neighbourhoods.

“As always, efficiency, quality, and safety will be our focus this construction season,” said Hallam, “Working efficiently, and helping residents get around the city as efficiently as possible will be key. Using the best quality materials to fix our roads, and keep them in better condition, for a longer period of time is important. Through it all, the safety of our crews, and everyone approaching or passing work zones, will be our top priority.”

Hallam pointed to the city’s Building Better Roads website, launched earlier this week, as a way for residents to get the latest information on road restrictions and work zones that could affect their daily commutes. The site also features updates and schedules on other areas like pothole repair, street sweeping and back lane rehabilitation.

Residents can view a list of the city’s 2014 construction projects at Saskatoon.ca by clicking “Building Better Roads”.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, the intersection of Idylwyld Drive and 23rd Street will have the following lane restrictions while crews work on underground cables:

- Idylwyld Drive southbound and northbound median lanes will be closed approaching 23rd Street and through the intersection.
- 23rd Street westbound will be reduced to two lanes approaching Idylwyld Drive.
- Turning from 23rd Street onto Idylwyld Drive will be maintained.

To minimize impact to traffic the work has been scheduled to take place at night, with restrictions lifted at 6.00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning 9.00 a.m. on Thursday May 15, 2014, College Drive eastbound will be closed between University Drive and Munroe Avenue North as crews fix a leaking water main that has created a sink hole in the road. Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes of College Drive.

The work is expected to take two days, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.
Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The work at the intersection of Idylwyld Drive and 23rd Street East due to begin at 7.00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, has been cancelled. A new Public Service Announcement will be issued should the work be rescheduled.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Beginning at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, Circle Drive eastbound from east of the Circle Drive Bridge to Attridge Drive will have the following lane restrictions while crews apply durable lane markings:

- Circle Drive eastbound curb (outside) lane from just east of the Circle Drive Bridge to the Attridge Drive on-ramp will be closed.
- Circle Drive eastbound on-ramp to Preston Avenue southbound will be closed.
- Circle Drive eastbound on-ramp to Attridge Drive/Preston Drive will be maintained. 

To minimize the impact to traffic the work has been scheduled to take place at night, with restrictions lifted at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, the intersection of 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue will be restricted while crews repair potholes. Right turns in all directions will be maintained.

The work is expected to be completed by 3:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.
Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that pet owners can now conveniently purchase and/or renew pet licenses online.

To purchase a new license online, pet owners can simply visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/petsonline and provide their contact details, pet, and payment information.  To renew a license, pet owners will need to have their personal ID and license tag number, which can be found on your pet license renewal form.  Renewal notices are sent out approximately one month prior to the expiration date.  New and renewed licenses purchased online take 24 hours to take effect.
Licenses can also be purchased in person at City Hall, the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency, the SPCA, SCAT Street Cat Rescue Inc., and participating veterinary clinics and pet supply stores.

All dogs and cats over four months of age must be licensed.  Annual cat license fees for spayed/neutered cats are $16 and $32 for non-spayed/neutered cats.  For spayed/neutered dogs, annual license fees are $27 and $54 for non-spayed/neutered dogs.

Enjoy the benefits for being a responsible pet owner and licensing your pet.  These benefits include the development and maintenance of off-leash recreation areas (OLRAs) and services dealing with dangerous animals.  Licensed pet owners also receive a Pet at Large (P.A.L.) card, which allows a one-time fine totaling up to $300 to be waived if your pet is found at-large and offers a return-to-home or safe shelter for your stray pet.

Responsible pet owners deserve treats too! If you like to save money or enjoy trying new things, you will like what the My Pet Matters Card has to offer! Visit www.mypetmatters.ca for full program information.

If you do not have your Pet License Renewal notice or if you have any questions regarding the online payment option, please call Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For more information about Animal Services and pet licensing, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/animalservices.

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.

For Release: Monday, May 13, 2014

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will be increasing outflows over the next few days from 370 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to 800 m³/s. This will result in the current water level on the South Saskatchewan River downstream of Gardiner Dam rising by approximately 1.4 m.  It’s anticipated that the higher river flows will remain in place for the remainder of May.

This increase in outflow is a proactive seasonal release in response to the above normal snowpack in the mountains and above average lake level for this time of year. No out-of-bank flooding is expected to occur as a result of this operation.

With this planned release and normal inflow over the next two weeks, WSA expects to lower the reservoir approximately 0.8 m, providing additional flood storage in the event of above normal rainfall in late May and June.

The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates will be posted to the WSA’s website at wsask.ca.

Saskatoon Fire Department advises residents to exercise extreme care and caution around the river throughout this period of elevated water levels.  

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

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 of Saskatoon launched a new website today that will serve as a one-stop-shop for schedules, information and updates related to our roadway activities this year.

“With more than $50 million to be spent on Saskatoon roads this season, it will mean more construction projects, work zones and traffic detours than ever before,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “This site is just one of the ways drivers will be able find what they need to know about our progress and the road work that could affect their daily commutes and travel routes.”

Find the new site from the saskatoon.ca homepage by clicking “Building Better Roads.” From there, users can view updates, schedules and information on road restrictions, pothole repairs, construction projects, street sweeping, back lane upgrades, sidewalk rehabilitation, and line painting.

“With so much more road construction happening this year, we are increasing our communications to help Saskatoon residents and visitors prepare,” Gardiner says. “The site will have steady updates to schedules and display the most current road restrictions for drivers.”

“We encourage everyone to ‘know before you go’ by learning where and when road construction might affect them.”

In addition to the site, there are several other ways for people to keep up-to-date, and follow the City’s progress, through the road construction season.

- Connect with the City of Saskatoon on Facebook or Twitter and follow #BetterRoadsYXE
- Subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca
- Read our Public Service Announcements and News Releases on the media page.
- Watch the video of our weekly Building Better Roads media briefings every Thursday. These will be posted to our YouTube channel and available to watch on the Building Better Roads media page.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #BetterRoadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The work on Circle Drive eastbound from east of the Circle Drive Bridge to Attridge Drive overnight on Tuesday, May 13 has been temporarily postponed. A new Public Service Announcement will be issued when the work is rescheduled.  

Know before you go! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook