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Construction around Saskatoon progressing as planned and on time

July 23, 2020 - 1:09am

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Construction is moving along on schedule in all areas of the city this summer. In 2020, City Council invested over $61 million to rehabilitate and preserve road, water and sewer infrastructure to improve the safety and lifespan of the assets residents rely on every day.  

Key construction projects this year include:

  • The replacement of aging water mains on 8th Street. Work is on schedule and will wrap up in early fall. The project also includes sidewalk rehabilitation and road resurfacing. Other water main replacement projects are currently underway on Cumberland Avenue, Clarence Avenue, Avenue J North and Avenue C North.
  • The second and final phase of the Sid Buckwold Bridge Rehabilitation project has reached the mid-way point and remains on track for completion in October. Once complete, it will have a wider walkway with taller barriers, improved drainage, and the bridge deck and ramps will be completely resurfaced.
  • Road resurfacing on sections of College Drive, Taylor Street, and Boychuk Drive is complete. Crews are currently resurfacing on Circle Drive from the College Drive overpass to 14th Street. This work is being done at night to minimize impacts to motorists.

The City has also invested $53 million toward the development of new infrastructure needed to support developing neighbourhoods. 2020 development projects include:

  • The installation of a primary water main under Garvie Road that will service the Evergreen and Aspen Ridge neighbourhoods. This project wrapped up ahead of schedule and also included road resurfacing.
  • The Taylor Street extension from Rosewood Gate North to Wess Road is expected to be complete and open to traffic in October.  
  • The installation of sewer trunks to service the Brighton neighbourhood. This two year project began in the spring and will be finished in 2021.

“We started this construction season with an edited ‘to-do’ list in order to ensure the safety of workers and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Matt Jurkiewicz, Director of Construction & Design. “For example, we opted to put non-emergent lead line replacements that require workers to enter homes on hold this year, but the effects of the pandemic have not slowed down or interrupted all other planned work.”

The City continues to evaluate all projects as they proceed while continuing to follow the provincial Public Health Orders and recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

More information about 2020 construction projects is available at Saskatoon.ca/construction.

We thank you for your pave-tience during construction. We know it can be a real ‘pain in the asphalt.’

Electric bus charges into service: test aims to lower fuel bills and greenhouse gasses

July 21, 2020 - 3:44am

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Saskatoon Transit is proud to announce it will be testing an electric bus over the next year as part of the public transport fleet. This initiative supports elements of the Official Community Plan and the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Plan goals of Environmental Leadership and Moving Around.  

The total project cost is estimated to be $533,600 of which $234,300 is funded from the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), a fund financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). 

Today’s announcement also reaches a milestone in Saskatoon’s Low Emission Community Plan, which prescribes the municipal transit fleet be 100% electric by 2030. The electric bus project’s net carbon emissions reduction is expected to be 50.3 tonnes of CO2 per bus, per year (this number accounts for the bus and the electrical grid’s emissions-intensity factors) and saves approximately $27,500 in fuel costs per bus, per year.   

This project will include a strong focus on how an electric bus will perform in Saskatchewan’s very cold winter weather, which will be of interest to many other Canadian communities with longer, colder winters like ours. Also, Saskatoon Transit’s collaboration on this project with the Saskatchewan Research Council will be valuable to replicate it and share that knowledge across the province. 

Quick facts: 

  • The electric bus can be charged in approximately 5 hours 
  • One bus is expected to reduce 50.3 tonnes of CO2 per year (this number accounts for the bus and the electrical grid’s emissions intensity factors) and save ~$27,500 in fuel costs per year compared to a conventional diesel bus
  •  This electric bus pilot initiates one of the 40 actions in the Saskatoon’s Low Emission Community Plan for the municipal transit fleet to be 100% electric by 2030. The City will also start testing electric vehicles later this year as part of another transportation action to electrify the entire municipal fleet 
  • The electric bus unit number will be 1948, representing the year the first 8 electric buses hit the streets of Saskatoon 

Benefits: 

  • Improved air quality at transit terminals, and along bus routes will improve public health 
  • Less noise pollution along bus routes will improve the community’s quality of life 
  • Lower operation and maintenance costs  
  • Offering a modern transit system will help to increase transit ridership 

Quotations: 
“We’re investing in the future. This electric bus pilot project will give the people of Saskatoon a practical and environmentally friendly option for their everyday commute. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across Canada and builds stronger communities.” The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities 

“Zero emissions vehicles are part of Canada’s net-zero future. Our government is working to give Canadians greener options to get where they need to go.” The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources 

“This is a great step towards the further expansion of zero-emission technology in Saskatoon. The world of transportation is changing rapidly and we need to adapt and implement these new technologies to be ready. This will also help us make important strides in meeting our long-term sustainability goals.” City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark 

“Local governments are Canada’s builders. They own nearly two thirds of the public infrastructure that supports Canada’s economy and quality of life. Whether it’s through better transit, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, or stronger local infrastructure, municipalities like Saskatoon are building better lives for Canadians. Supported by our strong federal-municipal partnership, FCM’s Green Municipal fund helps municipalities do what they do best: deliver solutions that work.” Darren Hill, FCM Third Vice-President and Councillor, City of Saskatoon 

"Buses already help tackle climate change by providing a way to get around other than in cars or trucks. With more people taking transit in Saskatoon, electric buses will make a real difference. This pilot helps Saskatoon Transit achieve our goal of replacing 10 conventional buses with electric buses per year, creating an all-electric fleet within the next 10 years." Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. 

Improving service, maximizing efficiency & leading innovation: City releases report

July 15, 2020 - 10:47am

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Now available online: the City’s annual Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability highlighting how City teams worked together to maximize value, minimize costs and find innovative ways to deliver better service to citizens in 2019.

“The report highlights our many achievements in 2019 and showcases the innovative projects, initiatives and partnerships City teams undertook last year,” says Celene Anger, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. “I am proud of our City employees, they continue to move the organization towards becoming the best-managed city in Canada and show their commitment to our Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement every day.”

Featured stories include numerous service improvements and enhancements focused on delivering quality and reliable front-line civic services, such as the achievement of Saskatoon Transit in converting all buses to fully accessible status through investments from all three levels of government.

Savings stories outline more than $1.1 Million in operational efficiencies through one-time and recurring annual savings. Sustainability accomplishments celebrate ongoing efforts to ensure Saskatoon grows in harmony with nature and plans for a sustainable future. Many initiatives featured helped to reduce the City’s environmental footprint and mitigate the risks posed by climate change. Other projects moved the City forward to create a more equitable and socially responsible community.

The report proudly presents the City’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation. Notable achievements in 2019 included:

The 2019 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee on July 20, 2020.

View the full report here.

Enhancements to City equipment improve safety for staff and drivers

July 15, 2020 - 2:46am

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While public education can help keep road workers safe, workers are risking their lives more and more as traffic and construction work increase each year. Drivers will soon see some new vehicles and detour materials on the road as the City enhances the way they set up work zones and traffic detours. 

“We’re anxious to start using these new vehicles for work on high-traffic roads and freeways,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation & Construction. “The equipment and modifications will act as physical barriers to protect staff from vehicles, and we’ve enhanced the set-up further with clear message boards, bright reflective colours, and state-of-the-art cameras with night-vision.”  

Two different vehicles were added to the City’s fleet this summer: a multi-purpose truck with a modified truck bed and digital arrow signage to be used when setting up a work zone; and one with a crash cushion that acts as a physical barrier for moving work zones with a large message board.  

“Our staff witness drivers who are distracted or speeding every day when they work alongside traffic,” says Schmidt. “Rushing to get somewhere quickly could cost someone their life. Please take some extra time when passing a work zone.”  

July is Work Zone Safety Month. The City’s annual Respect Work Zones public awareness campaign reminds drivers to slow down in a work zone and obey signs, using testimonials from real City workers talking about their close calls with drivers in a work zone. 

Saskatoon drivers are getting the message: compared to 2017, Saskatoon Police Service issued 29% fewer speeding tickets in work zones in 2019. Staff also report fewer drivers speeding through work zones posted with reduced speed signs to slow to 30 km/hr.  

Learn more and find ads at saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones

City Council approves new Official Community Plan for Saskatoon

June 29, 2020 - 1:08pm

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City Council yesterday approved at its Public Hearing a new Official Community Plan (OCP) for Saskatoon.

“The Official Community Plan is the collective long-term vision for Saskatoon that guides the physical, environmental, economic, social and cultural development of our community,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager. “It provides both inspiration and direction to ensure the community’s vision for Saskatoon is integrated into all aspects of planning, decision-making and priority-setting for the City.”

The direction and goals outlined in the OCP are entrenched in law and recognized under the authority of the Planning and Development Act, 2007. The OCP works in conjunction with the City’s Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Business Plan and Budgeting process to create a strategic framework for how priorities are set and how the City achieves its goals.

The development of the new OCP was guided by the priorities of City Council, as established in the City’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021.

Lesley Anderson, the City’s Director of Planning and Development explains the new OCP consolidates and entrenches the direction provided in over fifty civic plans and policies that City Council has approved over the last several years including: the Growth Plan to Half a Million, Saskatoon Speaks – Community Vision, City Centre Plan, Culture Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Green Infrastructure Strategy, Recreation and Parks Master Plan and the Heritage Plan.

“The Official Community Plan acts as a connection point for the work of all City staff and this latest revision brings it up to date with the current direction of the City, reflecting where we are right now, what our vision is for the future, and how we will achieve that vision,” Anderson says.

As per the requirements laid out in the Planning and Development Act, 2007, the new OCP bylaw will be submitted to the Ministry of Government Relations for their review and approval.

For more information and to view a copy of the new OCP, visit saskatoon.ca/ocp.