News Releases

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014
                                           

CIRCLE DRIVE NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HIGHWAY 16 & TAYLOR STREET

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, the following lane restrictions will be in place on Circle Drive while crews remove a weight scale.

- Circle Drive northbound curb lane from Highway 16 off ramp to Circle Drive westbound will be closed
- Circle Drive northbound median (inside) lane closed after Highway 16 westbound to Circle Drive northbound on ramp will be closed 

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 2:00 p.m. the same day.

IDYLWYLD DRIVE BETWEEN 20TH STREET & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE, JULY 11

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, Idylwyld Drive northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed while crews repair guard rails.

The lanes are expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Today, officials from the City of Saskatoon (City), along with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, unveiled the first in a series of special interpretative signs at Hyde Park to celebrate the history of how the very unique naturalized park, one of the first of its kind in Saskatoon, came to be. 

Participating in the ceremony were His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison; Darren Crilly, Director of Parks Division; Michael Champion, Head of Industry and Government Relations for Ducks Unlimited Canada in Saskatchewan; Bob Rogers, Conservation Chairperson for the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation; and Reed Hentze, Vice President of the Rosewood Community Association.

Hyde Park, located in the Rosewood neighbourhood, is a 123 acre naturalized park.  The park was first identified in 2007 in the South East Park Landscape Master Plan when the City and involved stakeholders, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, made it a priority to approach the development of the Hyde Stormwater Management Area in an innovative way and work with the land in its naturalized state.  Through this process, it was decided it should serve as a wetland, storm water pond area, and a centre for interpretative and educational programming with respect to wetlands and natural habitat.  Through feedback from the community, the final park design evolved to include a total of five ponds, numerous walking trails and sports fields, play equipment, and an off-leash dog park set to open soon.

“Our citizens identify park space as vital to the quality of life in Saskatoon,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “This park is special because it includes wetlands in their naturalized state unusual in their size and proximity to the city. This would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Administration, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation.”

Ducks Unlimited Canada, along with partners, including a major contribution from the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, committed an initial $100,000 to the development and construction of an educational and habitat component, including spearheading future programming and events.  Interpretative signs are a part of this educational component.  The sign unveiled at the ceremony today represents the first in a series designed to illustrate the history of the land and Hyde Park’s importance as a naturalized wetland in Saskatoon.

Hyde Park will be officially completed in the Fall of 2014, at which time, it will be owned and maintained by the City of Saskatoon Parks Division.  For more information on park construction, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/parks.

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 Immediate Release: July 8, 2014
 

CLAYPOOL DRIVE WESTBOUND FROM MCCLOCKLIN ROAD TO HAMPTON GATE NORTH, JULY 9 – 31

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, Claypool Drive westbound between McClocklin Road and Hampton Gate North will be closed as work continues on twinning Claypool Drive.  There will be no access to Hampton Gate North from Claypool Drive westbound while the work is taking place. The eastbound lane will remain open.  Westbound traffic on Claypool Drive will be detoured down McClocklin Road.

The work is expected to take three weeks, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City Hall main elevator located in the lobby will be closed for repair and upgrade starting on Tuesday, July 8 and continuing for approximately twelve weeks (until September 29). The City Hall south elevator will remain open during this time.

During the work period, there will be several ways to access City Hall upper floors: 

• From the main entrance lobby:
• Use the main stairway, across from the public washrooms.
• Take the stairs by the Information Desk which go up one floor to the south wing. The south elevator is down the hall, across from Human Resources.
• If you require use of the accessibility lift to the south elevator, please see the security attendant by the main doors.
   
• From the 4th Avenue entrance:
• This entrance gives direct access to the south elevator and is wheelchair accessible. The south stairway to upper floors can also be accessed from this entrance. Both the south elevator and the south stairway are at the end of the hall. 

The City of Saskatoon apologizes for the inconvenience.

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 Immediate Release: July 7, 2014

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS CIRCLE DRIVE FROM COLLEGE DRIVE TO CIRCLE DRIVE NORTH BRIDGE, JULY 7-10

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7, Circle Drive northbound median (inside) lane will be closed from College Drive to Circle Drive North Bridge while crews apply permanent road markings.

The work is expected to last 3 to 4 nights. To minimize disruption to traffic the work will be done overnight from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS FOR BRIDGE DECK TESTING, JULY 8 – 10

In order to ensure the integrity and continued safety of overpass structures around the city, crews will be conducting the annual bridge and deck testing program starting on Tuesday, July 8. 

To minimize disruption to traffic, the deck testing will take place overnight with all restrictions lifted by 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

The schedule for this work is as follows:

Tuesday, July 8

108th Street over Circle Drive Overpass

· 7:00 p.m. - bridge will be closed in both directions

Wednesday, July 9

Idylwyld Drive Over 19th Street to 1st Avenue Northbound Ramp

·     7:00 p.m. - ramp will be closed and traffic will be detoured to Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street 

Thursday, July 10

Idylwyld Drive over the 11th Street Pedestrian Underpass

·     7:00 p.m. - northbound traffic will be maintained in one lane 

·     9:00 p.m. - sorthbound traffic will be maintained in one lane 

Spadina Crescent Bridge (near the Mendel Art Gallery)

·     11:30 p.m. – bridge will be closed in both directions

The City thanks everyone for their patience.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Recent emergencies in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba remind us that disasters do happen. The City of Saskatoon has done extensive planning to develop and practice the protocols and working relationships that will enable us to effectively respond to a disaster. Even with the infrastructure in place, a critical piece of any disaster response and recovery is the delivery of important information to the public in a timely manner. notifynow is one of the tools we have in place to promptly reach the citizens of Saskatoon individually.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization will use notifynow to inform citizens about what to do in an emergency that affects their residence and provide them with relevant information when we start working towards recovering and returning to our normal lifestyles. For example, we might need to let you know that your home has sustained damage even when you are away on holiday, let you know if, or when additional landfill space will be open so that you can begin to clean up, or provide you with information about how to access disaster assistance programs.

“No matter how well prepared a community is, disasters are defined as events that overwhelm our capacity to respond normally,” says Director of Emergency Planning, Ray Unrau. “We are asking everyone to sign up for notifynow so in an emergency, we can contact you, before, during or after the disaster, with important information that will help you personally make the best choices you can.”

Citizens wanting to receive important messages from Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization must first sign up. To do that, visit saskatoon.ca, search under “N” for notifynow and follow the links to sign up, read the frequently asked questions or watch an instructional video on the process.

For Release: July 4, 2014

SPADINA CRESCENT FROM 20TH STREET TO 3RD AVENUE, JULY 5-6

Starting at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, Spadina Crescent will be closed from 20th Street to 3rd Avenue to accommodate the annual Pets in the Park event. 

The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.

MILLAR AVENUE NORTHBOUND BETWEEN CIRCLE DRIVE & 43RD STREET, JULY 6

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, Millar Avenue northbound curb (outside) lane will be closed between Circle Drive and 43rd Street while crews work on a light pole.

The road is expected to reopen by 10:00 a.m. the same day.

VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS FOR CYCLING EVENT, JULY 6

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 6, the following restrictions will be in place to accommodate the Prairie Grand Fondo cycling event.

- Valley Road northbound curb (outside) lane approaching Circle Drive will be closed
- Valley Road northbound ramp to Circle Drive eastbound will be closed
- Circle Drive eastbound curb (outside) lane from Valley Road to Lorne Avenue will be closed
- Circle Drive eastbound ramp to Lorne Avenue will be closed

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS COLLEGE DRIVE, CIRCLE DRIVE & CENTRAL AVENUE, JULY 6

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, the following restrictions will be in place while crews apply durable road markings.

- College Drive westbound curb (outside) and center lanes from Central Avenue to Circle Drive will be closed
- Central Avenue southbound right turn lane to College Drive westbound will be closed
- College Drive westbound ramp to Circle Drive northbound will be closed

To minimize disruption to traffic, the work will take place overnight, with the roads due to reopen by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7.

REMINDER: OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS 51ST STREET BETWEEN FAITHFULL AVENUE & MILLAR AVENUE, JULY 5-6

Beginning at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, the following restrictions will be in place on 51st Street while crews continue to pave the road.

Saturday, July 5

- 51st Street westbound median (inside) and center lane from Millar Avenue to Faithfull Avenue will be closed

Sunday, July 6

- 51st Street westbound median (inside) and center lane from Miners Avenue to Faithfull Avenue will be closed

To minimize disruption to traffic, the work will take place overnight from 6:45 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicate, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

City crews will begin back lane rehabilitation and maintenance on July 14, starting with Ward 8 and moving through to Ward 1, which is the reverse of last year’s program.  Saskatoon’s network of more than 400 kilometres of gravel back lanes will be improved this summer following inspections and ratings this past Spring.

“Annual grading of back lanes levels off low areas, repairs ruts and potholes, and prevents deterioration,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works.  “In order to prevent damage to private property and for the safety of residents and our crews, we kindly ask residents to remove all obstructions and debris from the back lane.” Residents with back lane collection are also asked to move garbage and recycling containers back onto their property after their collection date.

Improvements will consist of almost 13 kilometres of gravel back lanes undergoing enhanced rehabilitation treatments, which include preventative measures such as trimming of trees overhanging into the lanes. Overhanging trees can cause poor drainage and excessive wet spots, leading to the formation of ruts. All other lanes will be graded and packed as appropriate to improve the condition.

While crews are working in your back lane, access to lanes will be restricted, and for their safety, children and pets must stay at least 15 metres away from equipment. 

Residents affected by a back lane rehabilitation will be notified in advance with more information about what to expect. 

A schedule for back lane maintenance and rehabilitation will be posted on the City’s website early next week.  Rain may cause delays to the program and the schedule may fluctuate as a result. 

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and click on Building Better Roads, or contact the Public Works Customer Service Centre at public.works@saskatoon.ca or 306-975-2476.

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.

For Immediate Release: July 3, 2014

8TH STREET & CLARENCE AVENUE INTERSECTION, JULY 4-5 

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4, the following restrictions will be in place at the intersection of 8th Street and Clarence Avenue while crews repair a water main:

- 8th Street eastbound curb (outside) lane will be closed approaching Clarence Avenue
- 8th Street westbound left turn bay to 8th Street eastbound will be closed
- Clarence Avenue southbound will be closed from 7th Street to 8th Street (no southbound through traffic)
- Clarence Avenue northbound  median (inside) lane will be closed approaching 8th Street

The work is expected to last 2 days.

24TH STREET BETWEEN 3RD AVENUE & 5TH AVENUE, JULY 4-6

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 4, 24th Street will be closed between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue while crews pave the road. The 4th Avenue intersection will remain open.

The work is expected to take 2 to 3 days.

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! 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 Saskatoon Fire Department has noted a significant increase in the number of outside fires that were started by improperly disposing of smoking materials. There were 23 fires in the last 18 months attributed to this.

In 2013, 16 fires were caused by improperly disposing smoking materials such as cigarettes and cigars. The damage totaled more than $4 million. This year, seven fires were started by improper disposal of smoking materials. The average estimated damage was more than $100,000.

With changing social norms, it is now common for people to smoke outside in areas that contain flammable materials. A fire can develop if:

• smoking materials are not entirely extinguished
• if cigarette butts are allowed to accumulate in a container
• if peat moss, dry leaves or decking materials have butts dropped on them

Typically, the person who was smoking has already gone inside the home and the fire grows unnoticed. The fire often starts close to a house, ignites the exterior walls, then travels up to the roof and attic putting everyone inside the house at risk. In the early stages the fire may already be threatening the home, but there is often no smoke inside the house and smoke detectors cannot detect it. Many times it is a neighbour or people walking who notice the fire – if anyone happens to be there.

To prevent outdoor fires caused by smoking materials, the Saskatoon Fire Department recommends that you:

• have a metal or ceramic pot with a lid to dispose of your smoking materials
• leave a container outside for guests to use, even if you don’t smoke
• be aware that ashes are a fire safety hazard
• never extinguish smoking materials in planters – the peat moss in planters can smolder for hours before suddenly bursting into flames
• never throw burning cigarettes out your car window and onto the street
• always make sure your smoking materials are completely extinguished and that there is nothing in the vicinity that could catch fire like dry grass or cedar trees.