News Releases

The 2014 Civic Pancake Breakfast held on June 19, 2014, generated $5,509 (including tips) which was donated to the United Way.

As the City strives to be a leader in environmental stewardship, we all work together to  implement environmentally friendly and sustainable practices for the corporation and the community at large.

We are pleased to report the following results:

There were 1,133 breakfasts served (compared to 1,100 breakfasts in 2013) with a final waste tally of: 

300 kg of compostables which include all dishes, paper table-covers, natural latex balloons, napkins, wooden stir-sticks; filters and coffee grounds were composted as well;
- 14 kg of garbage; 
- 6 kg of aluminum and pails;
- all cardboard boxes, juice boxes (tetra paks), coffee cream  cartons, plastic jugs, and whip cream containers were recyled.

The city thanks all its breakfast sponsors for their generous support, as well as everyone in attendance, and encourages all event organizers to reduce waste.

 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.

Road construction season is in full swing in Saskatoon and drivers will no doubt encounter some type of restrictions along their route at any time of day.  To keep traffic moving through work zones on high-traffic streets and freeways, the zipper merge is used where possible to ease traffic congestion, reduce collisions and ensure safety of drivers and workers.

“The zipper merge keeps traffic moving in two lanes up to the work zone edge at which point the lanes then take turns merging,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “The City’s roadway coordinators carefully place signage in order to keep traffic moving, while providing a safe environment for workers and safe roadways for drivers.

The use of a zipper merge will reduce the potential for collisions and frustration when one lane is stopped or travelling very slowly and the other lane is travelling faster and unsafe merges occur.

Drivers are currently using a zipper merge on Circle Drive and it will also be in place on Idylwyld Drive during resurfacing over the next few weeks.  Additional locations may be added as traffic control plans are finalized.  Drivers should always follow the signs in place for the specific work zone.

“As drivers approach the “zipper merge ahead” sign and traffic starts to concentrate near the work zone, stay in your current lane up to the “merge here” sign,” Gardiner says.  “Then take turns in "zipper" fashion, alternating with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane.  Both lanes of drivers must take turns merging.”  A zipper merge works best on a long stretch of road with no cross-streets that require access.

Each work zone signage plan considers factors such as the space required for the work; volume and speed of traffic; volume of pedestrians; access to residences or businesses; and nearby restrictions that may impact traffic flow. This signage may stay in place when work zones may not appear active as roadside hazards may exist or fresh pavement or concrete needs to set.

For more information and a step-by-step video, visit saskatoon.ca and look under “Z” for Zipper Merge.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS: IDYLWYLD FREEWAY FOR CLEANING, JUNE 20

Starting at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, the Idylwyld Freeway from 20th Street to the 8th Street overpass and the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge will have various lane restrictions to accommodate annual cleaning.

The work is expected to be completed by 6:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20.

REMINDER: 8TH STREET WESTBOUND FROM BROADWAY AVENUE TO CLARENCE AVENUE
The 8th Street westbound lanes from Broadway Avenue to Clarence Avenue continue to be closed for paving. Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the eastbound lanes. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND

The Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane from 25th Street to 24th Street continues to be closed while crews carry out streetscaping work. One lane will remain open to traffic. The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, June 17, Circle Drive northbound lanes will be restricted from College Drive to the North Circle Drive Bridge to accommodate two separate projects: installation of durable road markings and roadway paving:

- Circle Drive northbound inside (median) lane closed from the College Drive overpass to the Attridge Drive on ramp.

- Circle Drive northbound curb (outside) & centre lanes closed beginning at the Attridge Drive eastbound off-ramp, with further restrictions on the ramps.

These lanes are expected to reopen by 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Release: June 18, 2014

Starting today, June 18, 2014, Saskatoon will begin to see improved facilities for Transit customers with the installation of new benches at selected stops throughout the city.

Creative Outdoor Advertising (COA) was awarded the contract in late 2013 and by November 2014 they will have replaced all 150 existing benches to a new, updated and modern design. Over the next 10 years, COA will also be installing 130 new benches at selected transit stops throughout the city. “This contract will move us towards modernizing our street furniture and will provide additional facilities for our customers.  We’re pleased that we are now able to provide comfort for more customers while they are waiting for their bus” says Bob Howe, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

The new Concourse Bench / Recycling Station is esthetically pleasing and will help the City of Saskatoon meet Council’s Strategic goal of Environmental Leadership.  The Concourse Recycling Station features three ports accommodating Paper, Cans and Bottles and Residual Waste.  The waste diversion will help sustain Saskatoon’s landfill.

“We’re excited to now be able to offer recycling facilities.  Our customers have asked us for them and we’re pleased that we can now offer them the service” says Howe.

The contract awarded to Creative Outdoor Advertising will also provide a minimum gross revenue, for Saskatoon Transit, of $324,000 over the 10 year period.

“We have been working with the City of Saskatoon for over 13 years and COA is excited to continue in its long standing partnership with the City of Saskatoon,” says Mr. David Gray, President of Creative Outdoor Advertising. “As a result of our excellence in both product and service, COA has been awarded another 10-year contract.”

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.