News Releases

Newly proposed waste collection routes will improve service, create cost savings, and reduce emissions for the collection of black garbage carts as well as green leaves and grass carts.

This is the conclusion of an update on the Efficient Waste System Project carried at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services on September 14, 2015.

“Tracking and reporting will be improved through the use of identification tags on carts, which will be scanned when carts are emptied to verify the collection in real time,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “Carts that are unable to be collected will be logged through photos taken by the truck operators.”

In 2014, 95% of the 70,000 collection carts in service received identification tags. City Administration is currently developing a plan to efficiently complete tag installation and replacement, which may include asking residents to put carts at the curb on a specific date.

“New routes and collection days, to be launched January 2016, are optimized to be more efficient by being as short and direct as possible with reduced back-tracking for trucks.”

The new system will be capable of monitoring a number of performance metrics that will improve the reliability and efficiency of City services, reduce fuel use, and reduce emissions from our fleet. Information is instantly relayed to the customer service centre to answer any inquiries.

Billing and collections for commercial garbage pick-up will also be improved through this system with onboard computers installed for operators to log all tips of commercial bins.

Residents will receive more information on the new schedules when they receive their 2016 Collection Calendar.

Increased efficiency of waste collection supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability 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

EXPECT DELAYS: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge Maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED  AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)

Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT HWY 11/16 CLOVERLEAF OVERPASS
(Deck repairs)
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: September 18, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT VALLEY RD OVERPASS
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: September 15, 9:00 a.m. End: September 15, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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 CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & 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.

A five-year transit plan presented today to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation stresses some important changes to Saskatoon Transit. Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald says the plan is intended to lay out how Saskatoon Transit will prepare for the implementation of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million.

“Saskatoon Transit is about to see a number of significant developments to its operations in the coming years, including the eventual introduction of services like Bus Rapid Transit,” says McDonald. “In order to be ready for these big changes, we need to start putting some things in place today that will help set the stage for the next chapter of bus service in Saskatoon.”

The changes adopted by the Committee today include:

• Enhanced customer service and community engagement capacities that will support positive perceptions of Transit as well as increased ridership;
• The introduction of staged changes, as well as the gathering of metrics, to support the future implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT);
• Relocating Saskatoon Transit’s location to provide adequate space for the growing fleet as well as the necessary resources to support Transit services;
• The development of a Control Centre that will monitor Transit systems and allow instant identification of issues and direct changes due to traffic congestion or detours;
• A funding model that would support the expansion and transition to a modern and fully accessible fleet by 2018; and
• Increased investments in staff training and professional development so that Transit employees feel fully supported in their roles.

“We’re working to reach out to existing riders as well as reach new ones through our expanded customer service and engagement activities,” says McDonald. “In addition to the changes proposed in our five year vision, we’re getting out in communities right away to let people know Transit is changing and we deserve a second look.”

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit transit.saskatoon.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The City of Saskatoon will be conducting its annual Taxi inspections starting the week of September 14, 2015 (Monday –Friday), weather permitting.

The Taxi inspections will take place on 11th Street West near the intersection of Highway 7.

Drivers are reminded to slow down and watch for signs as a 30km/hr reduced speed zone will be in effect for 11th Street West.

Know before you go! Plan your route 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.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST W & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 6:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer Lining)
2-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: September 14, 8:00 a.m. End: September 14, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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 CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & 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.