News Releases

ONGOING

20TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 4TH AVE S
(Hydro-vaccing lines)
Start: February 23, 9:00 a.m. End: February 27, 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 has awarded the tender for the necessary rehabilitation of Saskatoon’s iconic University Bridge to Horseshoe Hill Construction Inc. City Council approved the recommendation at its meeting of on Monday, February 23.

“We’re looking forward to working with Horseshoe Hill Construction Inc. on this important project that will ensure this 100 year old bridge continues to serve commuters for many years to come,” says Mike Gutek, Director of Major Projects. “This is an important step that allows us to now work out some of the finer details of this project.”

The project will see the bridge closed to the general public from May 1, 2015 to August 30, 2015. A single lane of traffic will remain open for emergency vehicles, Saskatoon Transit buses, Saskatoon Health Region authorized vehicles and school buses contracted by the Saskatoon School Boards only. A system will be implemented that accommodates travel in both directions. A single walkway will also remain open at all times during construction.

“Based on discussions with stakeholders, the critical needs of emergency vehicles, and the costs associated with a full closure, we believe this is the best solution for everyone involved,” says Gutek. “We’re deeply aware this work will have a significant impact on traffic flow in our City, but we are working to ensure the least disruption possible to carry out the repairs that are necessary for the safety and longevity of this important piece of infrastructure.”

A Project Transportation Plan is currently being prepared which involves identification of current and expected traffic delays at 26 key intersections. This information will be used to make improvements, assist with planning detours, and ultimately allow for better movement of traffic in our city.

An independent engineering assessment of the bridge in 2013 identified the deck is structurally insufficient and the concrete is susceptible to rapid failure and loss of strength due to freeze-thaw action. While there is no risk of danger, the assessment concluded that immediate repairs are required.

The City is continuously working with more than 250 stakeholders to keep them informed about the project. More information University Bridge Rehabilitation Project.

NEW

CIRCLE DR W SB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 33RD ST W OVERPASS
(Light Pole repairs)
Start: February 22, 7:30 a.m. End: February 22, 9:30 a.m.

51ST ST WB CURB LANE & MILLAR AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT INTERSECTION
(Streetlight installation)
No right turn to Millar Ave from 51st St
Start: February 22, 8:00 a.m. End: February 22, 11:00 a.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.

8.1.7 Designation of Hampton Village Off-Leash Rec Area

City Council will be asked to:

*Designate 3.2 acres of Municipal Reserve in Hampton Village as an Off-Leash Recreation Area (OLRA).

 Additional Information:

*In 2010, City Council received a report in response to the growing need conveyed by Saskatoon residents for additional space where dogs could be off-leash. There is a total of seven active OLRAs and the Recreation and Sport Division is proposing the development of a new one in Hampton Village.

8.1.8 – Innovative Housing Incentives

City Council will be asked to:

*Approve funding of 10% of the total capital cost of the construction of 40 affordable rental units by Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc., estimated at $750,000.

 Additional Information:

*This project qualifies for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and five-year incremental tax abatement.

8.2.8 – Standard & Poor’s Canadian Ratings – City of Saskatoon

City Council will be asked to:

*Receive report

 Additional Information:

*Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed the City of Saskatoon’s AAA/Stable Outlook credit rating based on the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements and current economic outlook.

*The City of Saskatoon compares favourably to the key factors used by S&P to evaluate the City’s credit rating.

8.3.11 Snowmobile Bylaw Amendment

City Council will be asked to:

*Update designated snowmobile routes within City limits

 Additional Information:

*The Snowmobile Bylaw currently designates only one route within the city leading to a gas station that no longer exists.

*The amendment is to reflect the new city limits requested as part of an upcoming annexation in 2015, and to ensure adequate routing to gas stations.

8.3.12 University Bridge Rehabilitation

City Council will be asked to:

*Allow Administration to proceed with the award process of the University Bridge Rehabilitation Contract

*Keep a the single lane open for traffic during rehabilitation be solely dedicated to two way traffic accommodation for only emergency vehicles, Saskatoon Transit buses, Saskatoon Health Region authorized vehicles, and school buses contracted by the Saskatoon School Boards.

 Additional Information:

*There were five bidders with the low bidder submitting a total base tender price of $5,998,398.

*The low bidder submitted an alternate price for full closure $315,000 lower and with 20 fewer site rental days listed.

*The City invited approximately 250 potential stakeholders to attend information sessions on January 22 and 28, 2015, to provide opportunities to learn more about the project, ask questions and discuss concerns and solutions.

8.4.3 SaskPower Meter Review Summary

Council will be asked to:

*Allow the continued implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system for both the electricity and water utilities.

 Additional Information:

*Crown Investments Corporation conducted a series of independent third-party reviews of SaskPower’s Smart Meter Program, following eight meter-related fires in 2014.

*Saskatoon Light & Power has been installing new Elster Solutions Canada smart meters since 2008, and has received no reports of meter-related fires.

*Elster meters complied 100% with all safety verification testing conducted by Underwriters Laboratories.

*Saskatoon Light & Power employ their own Certified Meter Installers for all installations, and safety checks are conducted to ensure meters are installed properly and operating normally.

9.10.1 Stonebridge & Highway 11 Interchange

Council will be asked to:

*Provide an additional $1.9 million of funding from the Interchange Reserve in order to ensure the project goes ahead in 2015.

 Additional Information:

*The total cost of the proposed interchange is $19 million.

*Additional access from the Stonebridge neighborhood to Highway 11 southbound is not recommended at this time.

9.10.2 Sidewalk Snow Clearing Enforcement Process

City Council will be asked to:

*Direct Administration to draft an appropriate policy based on Option 3 that is outlined in the report submitted. Option 3 states: For first offences, the current Bylaw Notice would be used. For subsequent offences by the same property owner, the City would issue a Notice of Violation and also proceed with the Bylaw Notice process to ensure the violation is remediated. This would not only act as a penalty and deterrent, but also ensure that the sidewalk is cleared to improve mobility. Further violations would result in increasing fines as per the bylaw.

Additional Information:

*City Council, at its meeting held on November 24, 2014, resolved that Administration speed up the compliance process to the extent possible, in particular for repeat bylaw offenders, and report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation.

*The full February 23, 2015 City Council Agenda is available at saskatoon.ca

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City crews have been out measuring the snowpack and rut depth on residential streets to determine when a city-wide snow grading will be initiated. Initial measurements have found an average snowpack of 7.5 centimetres (3 inches). This is currently below the 15 centimetres (6 inches) threshold to trigger a city-wide residential snow grading.

“These are our initial measurements but crews will continue to monitor and assess residential streets over the next few days and we will be in a better position next week to determine the timing of the potential activation of City-wide residential grading,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “In the interim, we are continuing to address trouble spots on residential streets as they are reported.”

This year, the intent is to perform the city-wide residential snow grading program later in the season to reduce the time that windrows adversely affect parking.

“Timing is everything when it comes to initiating City-wide snow grading; the snow pack needs to be thick enough and the weather warm enough to soften the pack so that it can be graded effectively,” says Hyde. “Windrows impact residential on-street parking so we don’t want to initiate it too early. We also don’t want to leave it too late because Spring temperatures can cause deep ruts on snow packed streets.”

So far this winter, 6,800 tandem truckloads of snow have been removed from priority streets which are in good winter driving condition. City Crews continue to work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to sand and salt roads as required.

After the weekend’s snow storm crews are continuing with the following;

• Snow windrow removal from Business Improvement Districts.
• Snow windrow removal around the school zones.  With the February school break in effect the timing of this will help to provide for improved conditions in the drop off zones at the schools.
• The snow train has been activated to remove snow stored along the barrier walls of Circle Drive and the bridges.

Once this work is complete, crews will look to begin removing snow stored in windrows from priority streets as required.

For more information on the City’s Snow & Ice Plan visit Saskatoon.ca and search “Snow Clearing”. To report impassable or hazardous streets call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.