News Releases

TU14-397

The City of Saskatoon has completed work on a two-year study entitled the Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan which looks at various ways of improving traffic safety in Saskatoon. The project was a joint initiative with partners at the University of Saskatchewan, including the College of Engineering and the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure (SCETI).  The Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan will be one of the items discussed at the September 15th meeting of the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation. 

“The plan provides many good insights about how the City can collaborate with other stakeholders to share resources and maximize investments in traffic safety,” says Jay Magus, Engineering Manager in Transportation (City of Saskatoon). “Now we have one more tool to make smart financial decisions on how to allocate funding toward road and traffic improvements. It can serve as a resource for many years.”

“Saskatoon is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada,” notes Carl Kuhnke, Managing Director of SCETI (University of Saskatchewan). “Our centre encourages and funds innovative ideas that utilize the expertise at the university; this traffic safety initiative was an obvious one for us.” Kuhnke says the work of the research team, combined with expertise at the City and Saskatoon Police Service, has provided strong guidance for the City to accurately prioritize their traffic safety strategies based on historical, current, and forecast needs. The university research team was led by Dr. Peter Park, Associate Professor of Civil and Geological Engineering.

The Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan identifies seven areas of emphasis for traffic safety including aggressive, distracted and impaired driving; intersections; older and younger drivers; and vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians and cyclists). Over 30 collaborative and data-driven strategies are recommended to address traffic safety, focusing on education, enforcement, and/or engineering. Examples of these include improved traffic signal operation, well maintained pavement markings, and public education around impaired and distracted driving. These strategies were developed in partnership with the Saskatoon Board of Education, SGI, the Saskatoon Health Region, and the Saskatoon Police Service. 

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and enter ‘Traffic Safety Plan’ in the search field.

During the 60th Anniversary Conference and Tradeshow, the International Downtown Association (IDA) recognized the City of Saskatoon (City) with a Downtown Merit Award for its work and initiatives related to the changes made to the 20-year-old Placemaker Program.  The IDA received 58 submissions, with Saskatoon receiving 1 of 17 awards handed out in the Programming and Events category.  The Placemaker Program was recognized for its focus on programs and events aimed at improving the image and vitality of the Downtown and its ability to attract visitors.

In addition, the City is also pleased to announce the installation of two new temporary artworks as part of the program.  The two new pieces, selected by the City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury, will be on display for up to two years. 

Sweetgrass Sway, by Métis artist Heather Shillinglaw, is comprised of 12 feather-shaped flags with images of sweetgrass on them and arranged in the infinity symbol.  It is located at the entrance to Cosmopolitan Park at the top of the University Bridge at College Drive and Saskatchewan Crescent.

Faces, by artists Adrian Bica, Dimitri Karopoulos, and Sebastian Lubczynski, is a sculptural installation of a head made of polystyrene panels mounted to a structural steel frame with plantings.  It has been installed at University Drive and College Drive.

For more information regarding the Placemaker Program, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/placemaker.

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 SATURDAY

BROADWAY AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM SASKATCHEWAN CRES TO 19TH ST
(Fun run)
19th St EB curb (outside) lane closed from 3rd Ave to Broadway Ave
Start: September 13, 6:00 a.m. End: September 13, 1:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Food truck festival)
Start: September 13, 8:30 a.m. End: September 14, 12:00 a.m.

33RD ST E CLOSED FROM AVE D N TO AVE F N
(33rd Street Fair)
Start: September 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 13, 5:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

1ST AVE N NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 23RD ST TO PARKING LOT
(Water & sewer repairs)
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 14, 12:00 p.m.

MILLAR AVE NB CLOSED NORTH OF CIRCLE DR
(Pole maintenance)
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 14, 9:00 a.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB & EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE INTERSECTION
(Pole maintenance)
Start: September 14, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 11:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB RAMP CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE TO CIRCLE DR WB CLOSED
(Pole maintenance)
Start: September 14, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 11:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CENTRAL AVE
(Pole maintenance)
Start: September 14, 11:00 a.m. End: September 14, 1:00 p.m.
ONGOING
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE 2-WAY TRAFFIC IN NB LANES FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 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 last Compost Sale Saturday of the 2014 season will be on September 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Residents can come to the City of Saskatoon’s Compost Depot on Highway 7 and 11th Street to purchase compost and mulch (woodchips) for their lawn and gardens.  Payment methods include cash, credit card or debit.

The cost is $5 per bag for a 20L (5 gallon) bag of compost or a 40L (10 gallon) bag of mulch.  There is no limit to the number of bags a resident may purchase.  Residents may also bring their own containers.

Compost and mulch are also available in bulk volumes of ½ yard, 1 yard, 1.5 yard, and 2 yard quantities.  Larger volumes can be loaded into a pickup truck or small trailer.  Bulk compost will be sold at the price of $65 per cubic meter ($50 per yard) and bulk mulch at $26 per cubic meter ($20 per yard).

Since 2006, the City of Saskatoon has been accepting leaves, grass, non-elm tree and shrub branches, and garden waste at the McOrmond Drive and the Highway 7 compost depots.  This material would otherwise end up in the landfill.

“In 2013, 21,500 tonnes of material was delivered to these compost depots, and about 13,500 tonnes, or 63% of that, was delivered by residents or brought in through the Green Cart program,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives.  “The sale of compost supports our city’s long-term strategy to eliminate the need for a new landfill and to increase revenue sources.”

Compost is valuable, ready-to-use organic matter that can be added to garden soil or lawns.  It acts as a natural fertilizer, improves soil structure, increases water retention, and boosts the amount of good microbes found in the soil.  Mulch (e.g. woodchips) can be layered on top of the soil around flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs to suppress weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and help protect plants from fluctuating temperatures and extreme weather.

Adding compost and mulch to your yard will help you build a healthy lawn and garden that is resistant to pests, conserves water, and does not require additional fertilizer.

For more information on Compost Sale Saturdays, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “C” for Composting.

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.

Additional Information
The City of Saskatoon provides a number of other composting services for residents:

Compost Bin Rebates:
The City of Saskatoon has a limited number of $20 rebates available to Saskatoon residents who purchase a compost bin or rain barrel from a Saskatoon retailer in 2014.  For more information, visit http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/rebate-form.

Master Composter Home Visits:
The City supported the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council’s Master Composter training again in 2014.  These Master Composters offer free home visits to residents who have questions or would like to start a compost of their own. Contact (306) 931-3242 or info@saskwastereduction.ca for details.

Winter Composting Presentation:
Residents are invited to a composting presentation to learn how to compost through the winter months.

Date: Wednesday, October 1
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Frances Morrison Library

Presented in partnership with the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council.

Compost Depots:
Residents are encouraged to take their leaves, grass, sod, topsoil, and non-elm branches, stumps and tree trimmings to the City’s compost depots free of charge. 

Since 2006, the compost depots have generated more than 16,000 cubic metres of Class A compost.  This has increased landfill diversion by nearly 15% over the last seven years and saved the Saskatoon Landfill approximately 400,000 cubic metres of airspace.  Composting the 21,500 tonnes of materials accepted at the Compost Depots in 2013 instead of taking it to the landfill reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 5,000 tonnes CO₂e, or the equivalent of removing 1,050 passenger vehicles from our roadways.

Be Water Wise:
The City of Saskatoon is committed to ensuring good stewardship of our water resources.  Using compost and mulch conserves water and keeps our lawns and gardens healthy.  For details and water conservation tips, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “B” for “Be Water Wise.”

Greet Cart Collection Program:
The Green Cart Collection Program was expanded in 2014 and services over 3900 households, up from 2744 in 2013. Service includes bi-weekly pickup of unbagged leaves, grass clippings, and non-woody yard vegetation.  The program runs from the beginning of May to the beginning of November.

Food Waste Collection Program:
The City is examining options and next steps for developing a food-waste collection program for residents.  For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca for the Public Agenda - Standing Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services for September 15, 2014 - Report on Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction, Attachment 3, page 1.

NEW
8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED APPROACHING SOMMERFELD AVE
(Catch basin repairs)
Start: September 12, 7:00 a.m. End: September 12, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED WEST OF PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail repair)
Start: September 12, 9:30 p.m. End: September 12, 3:30 p.m.

ONGOING
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water main lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic set in NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 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.