News Releases

Two reports, which outline the work-to-date on the Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan), will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services on July 20, 2015.

“The importance of growth planning is underscored even more, as the annual mid-year population estimate now calculates Saskatoon’s population at 260,900 people,” Director of Planning and Development, Alan Wallace, says.

“Even if the city doesn’t grow at the high rates we’ve experienced lately, we’re projecting average population increases between 2% and 2.5% over the long term.  That is like adding a city the size of Humboldt or Melfort to our city each year,” Wallace explains.  “The work we’re doing now will ensure we are ready for that and future growth.”

The first report is the Growth Plan Summary Report #2:  Long-Term Possibilities, which provides a detailed assessment of the preliminary long-term recommendations for:

• A new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT);
• Redevelopment along major corridors like 22^nd Street, Idylwyld Drive, 8^th Street, College Drive, and Preston Avenue; and
• A new core area river crossing at 33^rd Street, combined with bus lanes on the University Bridge.

The second report is the Growth Plan Engagement Summary Report #4, which shares what was heard during the third round of public engagement from February to June 2015.

“This input is being used to finalize the long-term recommendations and set the direction for our priorities on implementing the Growth Plan’s core initiatives of Corridor Growth, Transit, and Core Bridges,” Wallace says.

The resulting draft Growth Plan will be presented for confirmation during the final round of public engagement in the fall of 2015.

Once complete, the Growth Plan will help to guide future infrastructure investments 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 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.

On average, the number of days missed in 2014 by City workers due to periodic, ongoing medical conditions, and occupational illness is well below the national average. The results highlighting successes in health, safety, absenteeism, and lower overtime are outlined in a report to be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services.

“The City continues to make health and safety the first consideration in everything we do through our Occupational Health and Safety program and other initiatives,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We are making strides towards our goal of zero accidents at work and at home because of our programs that support managers and employees in reducing absenteeism.”

The report to the Committee shows:

• The average number of incidents per City employee is substantially below the national average for public sector workers (3.15 incidents for City employees versus 7.7 in the national public sector).
• The average number of days lost is well below the national average for public sector workers (7.9 days for City employees, almost three full days less than the national average of 10.6 days for the public sector).

City initiatives, such as the Attendance Support Program and the Health Management System work in cooperation to reduce absenteeism in the workplace while managing workloads. Proper management of absenteeism reduces workload variations, especially for City Services with demand and seasonal fluctuations, and better enables management to measure and utilize strategic overtime effectively.

“We continue to support our employees and managers in identifying factors that contribute to absences, especially where it impacts City services that require overtime to continue to provide a heightened level of service to residents,” says Gryba. “The City has placed increased focus on managing absenteeism and workload fluctuations in order to reduce excessive overtime, which can result in lower productivity, increased absenteeism, missed work due to injury or illness, and higher employee turnover.”

Proper management of absenteeism supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

 Public Agenda: Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services, July 21, 2015

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

1ST AVE N CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: July 17, 6:00 a.m. End: July 18, 7:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 26TH ST E
(Curb box repair)
Start: July 17, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ACADIA DR TO CIRCLE DR E
(Curb installation)
Start: July 17, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CENTRAL AVE
(Curb installation)
Start: July 17, 10:30 a.m. End: July 17, 11:30 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM QUEBEC AVE TO ONTARIO AVE
(Sanitary sewer line inspections)
Start: July 17, 10:00 p.m. End: July 18, 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.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: June 12, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 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.

Perceptions about Saskatoon’s quality of life and satisfaction with the overall level of services provided by the City of Saskatoon rated high in the 2015 Civic Services Survey. Roads and sidewalk repair remain the number one issue among citizens who participated in the annual survey.

“We obtain valuable feedback on a variety of civic issues through the Annual Civic Services Survey,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “All of the results are considered when we develop our annual business plan and budget. The feedback helps the City provide high quality services to meet citizen needs.”

When asked which methods the City could use to balance its budget, most citizens said they prefer a combination of increased user fees and property taxes over a reduction in services. On the topic of spending, citizens strongly felt more money should be allocated toward road maintenance, snow and ice maintenance, street crime, affordable housing, accessible infrastructure, growth planning, and traffic management. They would like to see less spending on arts and culture funding, renewing city centre and north downtown, and customer service initiatives.

When it comes to overall services provided by the City, satisfaction remains strong and relatively consistent with previous years, with telephone respondents significantly more satisfied than online respondents.

Other highlights of the 2015 Civic Services Survey include:

• Recycling is now considered a top area of citizen satisfaction. Drinking water quality, repair of water main breaks, garbage collection, electrical services reliability, fire protection and police services also rated high.
• The use of the City’s website continues to be the preferred information source for citizens.

A total of 500 surveys were completed via telephone and 821 surveys were completed online between May 11 and June 2, 2015. The margin of error for the telephone research is +4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence interval (19 times out of 20). Margin of error for the online study is not applicable as online research is considered a non-probability proportional sampling technique. View the City of Saskatoon Annual Civic Services Survey in its entirety at www.saskatoon.ca.

The 2015 Civic Services Survey supports the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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

21ST ST E EB FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 16, 7:00 a.m. End: July 16, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 1ST AVE N & VENTURE CRES
(Hydrant repair)
Start: July 16, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 1:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) AND CENTRE LANES CLOSED BETWEEN FAIRMONT DR & CIRCLE DR NB ON RAMP
(Resurfacing)
Use Diefenbaker Dr
Start: July 16, 7:00 p.m. End: July 17, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN ONTARIO AVE & IDYLWYLD DR
(Sanitary lining)
Start: July 16, 10:00 p.m. End: July 17, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST W TO 6TH ST W
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 4:00 p.m.

UPDATE: 22ND ST E CLOSED BETWEEN 3RD AVE N & 1ST AVE N
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 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)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: June 12, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 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.

The City of Saskatoon will be conducting sanitary sewer “smoke” testing in the Buena Vista neighbourhood on Thursday, July 16, as part of an investigation into reports of sewer odours in the area.

During the testing the 1100 block of Coy Avenue will be blocked off to traffic as a non-toxic liquid smoke product is vented into the sewer system through a manhole at Coy Avenue and 8^th Street. The smoke, which replicates the properties of invisible sewer gases, will be tracked through the system to identify weak points or small openings where sewage or gas could escape and cause an odour.

While the test is being carried out thick, white smoke will be visible exiting from the vent stacks and rooftop drains on houses, catch basins, yard drains tied to the sanitary sewer system, and from any holes or cracks in the contained area. It is possible for the smoke to enter a home through rarely used drain traps. To prevent this, residents in the testing area have been advised to run water into all drains for one minute the morning of the testing.

The smoke itself is an odourless, oil-based product that appears thick and white when activated. It is completely a non-toxic material that has been safely used for testing and simulations for over 20 years.

Testing will begin late morning Thursday, July 16 and run throughout the afternoon.

City of Saskatoon (City) officials gathered in Civic Square today with representatives from Saskatoon cycling groups to launch the City’s Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project and to officially open the 23^rd Street Protected Bike Lane.

A Protected Bike Lane is a dedicated, marked lane for use by people riding bikes.  The lane is physically separated from people driving cars by a painted buffer and flexible posts.

The new 23^rd Street Protected Bike Lane runs between Idylwyld Drive and Spadina Crescent East in both directions.  As the lane runs through the downtown transit terminal, people using the lane will continue to walk their bikes through the terminal, as per existing rules.  A second lane will open in the summer of 2016, on 4^th Avenue from 19^th Street East to 24^th Street East and will connect to the Broadway Bridge.

 “Protected Bike Lanes provide another safe option for people to move around our downtown and are part of our continuing efforts to make Saskatoon an attractive, vibrant city, and to improve quality of life,” said Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development, for the City.  “We also hope the lanes will bring more people into the downtown area so that local businesses can benefit as well.”

In March 2015, City Council approved a recommendation to proceed with a Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project downtown.  The goal of the project is to create a vibrant and healthy downtown by improving cycling as a strategy to increase the attractiveness of the downtown for businesses, residents, visitors, employers and their employees.

Saskatoon Cycles was represented at the event by Hilary Gough.  "Cycling infrastructure, such as bike lanes, is a critical component of a bikeable city.  We’re excited to see this important step being taken in our downtown and look forward to further improvements that will help make Saskatoon more accessible, and safe, for everyone."

The project will be evaluated over the next 18 months to determine the impact of the lanes on the downtown area.  A report, and a recommendation on the future of the project, will be prepared for City Council in early 2017.

According to research conducted prior to the start of the demonstration project, 95% of people surveyed on this topic said they believe the lanes will increase the comfort level of people riding bikes; 85% believe they will improve the accessibility of downtown; 84% believe they will make the downtown more attractive; and 60% also said they would ride their bikes more if they felt safer downtown.

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/cycling to watch an instructional video as well as a short video about the project.

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

2ND AVE N SB CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Crane lift)
Use 1st Ave or 3rd Ave
Start: July 15, 5:00 a.m. End: July 15, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ADELAIDE ST E TO 2ND ST E
(Street light repair)
Start: July 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 15, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST W TO 6TH ST W
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 15, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SB EXIT TO CONFEDERATION DR CLOSED
(Resurfacing)
Use Laurier Dr
Start: July 15, 7:00 p.m. End: July 16, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST W WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE L N TO AVE M N
(Sanitary sewer line inspections)
Start: July 15, 9:00 p.m. End: July 16, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: BROADWAY AVE NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 11TH ST E TO 12TH ST E
(Sanitary lining inspection)
Start: July 15, 9:30 p.m. End: July 16, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR E SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED UNDER  CIRCLE DR OVERPASS AT CLOVERLEAF
(Overhead deck work)
SB traffic will merge with the traffic from the loop.
Start: July 14, 5:00 a.m. End: July 15, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 4:00 p.m.

22ND ST E CLOSED BETWEEN 3RD AVE N & 1ST AVE N
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 15, 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)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: June 12, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB & SB  MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 45TH ST W TO CYNTHIA ST
(Road construction)
Start: June 8, 9:00 a.m. End: July 15, 6:00 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.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED UNDER  CIRCLE DR OVERPASS AT CLOVERLEAF
(Overhead deck work)
SB traffic will merge with the traffic from the loop.
Start: July 14, 5:00 a.m. End: July 15, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 16, 4:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB LANE CLOSED FROM 31ST ST W TO 29TH ST W
(Water line repair)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the NB lanes.
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 14, 6:00 p.m.

22ND ST E CLOSED BETWEEN 3RD AVE N & 1ST AVE N
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 15, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST E TO 44TH ST E
(Guardrail repairs)
Start: July 14, 9:00 a.m. End: July 14, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NORTH BRIDGE EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(SaskTel manhole access)
Start: July 14, 11:00 a.m. End: July 14, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB CURB LANE FROM SPADINA CRES E TO PRESTON AVE N
(SASKTEL MANHOLE ACCESS)
Start: July 14, 11:00 a.m. End: July 14, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN AND CENTRE LANES CLOSED BETWEEN FAIRMONT DR & CIRCLE DR NB ON-RAMP
(Resurfacing)
Start: July 14, 7:00 p.m. End: July 15, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: 24TH ST E CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & 4TH AVE N
(Sanitary lining work)
Start: July 14, 8:30 p.m. End: July 15, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: BROADWAY AVE NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 7TH ST & 9TH ST
(Sanitary lining work)
Start: July 14, 10:00 p.m. End: July 15, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR EB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED APPROACHING VENTURE CRES
(Sanitary lining work)
Start: July 14, 11:00 p.m. End: July 15, 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.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: June 12, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB & SB  MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 45TH ST W TO CYNTHIA ST
(Road construction)
Start: June 8, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 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 City of Saskatoon is making Saskatoon Transit service available at no charge to the City’s northern guests (wildfire evacuees). This service will be available immediately (July 10).

Those that wish to take advantage of the complimentary bus service can do so by presenting their Red Cross wristband to Transit drivers upon boarding. This wristband will grant unlimited access to travel anywhere that bus services goes in the City of Saskatoon including the riverbank, downtown core and other City amenities. Individuals can check schedules by using the Trip Planner application at transit.saskatoon.ca or service updates by following @StoonTransit on Twitter.

The City is also working with the Red Cross to facilitate access to the City’s leisure centres, public pools, spray parks, playgrounds, youth centre programs and libraries. As well, the City is coordinating partnerships with Aboriginal community organizations such as the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI), Saskatoon Tribal Council, Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Centre, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, White Buffalo Youth Lodge, as well as northern community associations and members of the Saskatoon business and corporate community.

Currently, there are approximately 300 northern guests at the Henk Ruys Soccer Centre and just over 250 staying at the SaskTel Sports Centre. Thousands more are staying in hotels and with family and friends.

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.