News Releases

OVERNIGHT ROAD RESTRICTIONS ON 51ST STREET, JUNE 26-27

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Tonight the following restrictions will be in place for road resurfacing:

- 51st Street westbound curb and centre lanes from Millar Avenue to Miners Avenue will be closed.

- 51st Street eastbound curb and centre lanes from the 1st Avenue intersection to Millar Avenue will be closed.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27.  All lanes will be open during the day.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE BETWEEN CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTH OVERPASS AND RUTH STREET, JUNE 26-28

Idylwyld Drive northbound will continue to be restricted to one lane from the Circle Drive South overpass to Ruth Street until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27. Idylwyld Drive southbound will be restricted to one lane from Ruth Street to the Circle Drive South overpass from 9:00 a.m. June 27 until 9:00 a.m. on June 28.

Crews are working around-the-clock to minimize the impact on traffic.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE SOUTHBOUND, JUNE 26-27

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.

The City of Saskatoon today unveiled a new interactive map to help drivers plan in advance to avoid road restrictions and traffic delays this road construction season. The map enables users to pinpoint the exact location of work zones using GPS technology and get the latest information, schedules and timelines for each project.

“A better commute is just a click away,” says Colleen McKee, Transportation and Utilities Communications and Marketing Manager for the City of Saskatoon. “This interactive online tool for desktop and mobile devices should make it easier for motorists to map their commutes ahead of time, making the trip easier and less frustrating.” Find the map on Saskatoon.ca under Check This Out! or click on the Building Better Roads link for the latest updates.

McKee says the new map is one in a series of initiatives the City has undertaken to help drivers navigate this year’s extensive and wide-ranging road construction. For the latest information on road closures and restrictions, motorists can visit Saskatoon.ca and subscribe for Traffic Detour Service Alerts, connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter (#betterroadsYXE) and Facebook (Saskatoon City News) and view the latest public service announcements posted on the City’s website.

“With over $50 million being invested in road-related work this season, road restrictions, closures and detours will be the norm,” McKee says. “We are committed to finding new ways of helping residents and visitors move through our city safely and as efficiently as possible.”

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.

 

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon initiative has launched the “Spotlight On” Summer Information Series to keep residents informed and engaged on the development of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan). 
“Growing Forward’s information series will break down each of the key elements being explored in the Growth Plan,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation.  “Throughout the summer we will post information on www.growingfwd.ca about the work being done for future core area bridges, transit, bus rapid transit, and growth near major corridors.” 

The first “Spotlight On” topic has been posted to the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon website www.growingfwd.ca, (look under Shaping Bridges), and focuses on Saskatoon’s future core area bridges, or those located within Circle Drive. 

“Demands for travel across the river to and from our city’s core will continue to increase as Saskatoon’s population grows,” Gardiner says.  “Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is looking ahead for the next 30 to 40 years and exploring options for our city’s core area bridges to accommodate this growth.”

For more information on the “Spotlight On . . .Core Bridges”, future “Spotlight On” topics, or to sign up for project update notifications, visit www.growingfwd.ca.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is a public planning initiative to help guide civic infrastructure investments as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.  A major outcome of this initiative will be the Growth Plan that focuses on sustainable growth and transportation choice. 

Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon process. Watch for more public engagement opportunities coming in October 2014. 

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.

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OVERNIGHT ROAD RESTRICTIONS ON 51ST STREET AND FAITHFULL AVENUE, JUNE 25-26

To minimize the impact to traffic and inconvenience to businesses in the area the work has been scheduled to take place between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Tonight the following restrictions will be in place for road resurfacing:

·    51st Street eastbound curb and centre lanes from Faithfull Avenue to Warman Road/Wanuskewin Road will be closed

·    51st Street westbound curb and centre lanes from Warman Road/Wanuskewin Road to Millar Avenue will be closed.

·    Faithfull Avenue from 50th Street to 51st Street will be closed.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26.  All lanes will be open during the day.

REMINDER: IDYLWYLD DRIVE NORTHBOUND BETWEEN THE CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTH OVERPASS AND RUTH STREET, JUNE 25-27

Idylwyld Drive northbound between the Circle Drive South overpass and Ruth Street continues to be restricted to one lane for road reconstruction.  Crews will be working around-the-clock to accelerate the length of construction and minimize impact to traffic. The restrictions are expected to be lifted by June 27.

REMINDER: CIRCLE DRIVE OFF RAMP TO WARMAN ROAD, JUNE 25-27

The Circle Drive eastbound off ramp to Warman Road southbound continues to be closed for roadway paving. Access to Warman Road southbound from the Circle Drive eastbound off ramp will be restricted. The ramp is expected to reopen by Friday, June 27. 

Crews will be working around-the-clock to accelerate the length of construction and minimize the impact to traffic.

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.

Everyone is invited to Kinsmen Day at the Zoo on Friday, June 27, 2014. Free admission to the Zoo will be provided from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please note parking, rental strollers, and fishing fees will still apply.
In lieu of admission, visitors are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item to benefit the Saskatoon Food Bank.  Representatives of the Saskatoon Food Bank will be on site all day to receive donations and answer questions.  
Fun, kid-friendly entertainment is planned between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., including activities provided by the Saskatoon Zoo Society for children to learn about the animals at the Zoo. During your visit look for new zoo animals, including two feature animals in the PotashCorp Ark exhibit, a red panda, and cougars!
For more information on the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/zoo.

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.
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The Saskatoon Fire Department has closed the Public Boat Launch until further notice because the increased water flow has created a serious safety concern for everyone using the river.

As of this morning, Wednesday, June 25, 2014, the Water Security Agency (WSA) increased the outflows from the Gardiner Dam to over 1100 cubic metres per second (m³/s) and rising. Normal outflow is approximately 350m³/s. Although outflow levels have increased significantly, they are not expected to rise to the 2013 high of approximately 2000m³/s.

“We understand the desire of the public to use the river, especially during the long weekend,” Assistant Chief Morgan Hackl says. “However, public safety remains our primary concern. The river becomes unpredictable and dangerous when flows increase. At times like this, water activities are best done in surrounding area lakes rather than the river.”

The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates will be posted to the WSA’s website at wsask.ca.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Starting Sunday, June 29, 2014, routes will be adjusted to better serve our customers.

This year, we have made several significant updates to our routes to improve the service we offer. Feedback from our customers is important to us and is reflected in the routes updates.

All Transit customers are encouraged to learn about the route adjustments before the changes take effect on June 29.  Information is available in information guides on each bus and distributed by Transit Ambassadors on routes and at major terminals. Information is also available online at www.saskatoon.ca or by phoning the Transit Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

Over the next week, Transit staff will be updating affected bus stop signs with new route numbers that take effect on June 29. Saskatoon Transit appreciates customers’ patience during this time and apologizes for any inconvenience that may be caused.

As part of the route adjustments, starting September 2, Saskatoon Transit is also introducing four new university transit routes! New LIMITED-STOP EXPRESS ROUTES will offer service to residents in Fairhaven, Parkridge, Arbor Creek, Erindale and Willowgrove. Also new on September 2, is a full stop route with additional service to Market Mall for customers along Clarence Avenue and in Stonebridge.

For more information visit www.saskatoon.ca or phone Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

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.

Today, Canpotex Limited (Canpotex), Canadian Pacific (CP), and the City of Saskatoon (City)  announced the funding support for the new Canpotex Train, which will be one of the main attractions at the future home of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park.  “The Train is a major attraction to the Park,” notes Steve Dechka, Canpotex’s President and Chief Executive Officer, “and Canpotex, along with our partner CP, is excited to help the City of Saskatoon cultivate this experience for Saskatoon’s children, families, and visitors at this important landmark.”
Groundwork for the train began in April and will continue throughout the summer. The train is currently being constructed at Arizona Railroad Depot in Phoenix, Arizona, and is scheduled for delivery in early 2015.
The Canpotex Train will be a replica of a CP Train, complete with a one-third scale locomotive and caboose, and spacious seating for 44 adults or 66 children.  It will travel at a speed of approximately 8 kilometres per hour along the new 626 metre loop (176 metres longer than the previous one), completing a full loop in roughly five minutes.
“I want to offer my gratitude and thanks to Canpotex and CP for their commitment to the people of Saskatoon,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “The Canpotex Train at PotashCorp Playland will draw families from all over the Saskatoon region to this historic neighbourhood and improve the quality of life in City Park and the entire community.”
The Future Home of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park is scheduled to open to the public in Spring 2015. Details on the project’s progress can be found at and video updates are available on the City’s YouTube channel.
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.

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Saskatoon is experiencing the second soggiest 30 day period on record, with the possibility of exceeding that record if rain continues. The past 30 days have brought nearly 200 mm of rain of which 100 mm fell in the past week.

“Ground water is high, river levels are high, soil is saturated and storm sewers flow is increased,” Galen Heinrichs, Engineering Manager at Saskatoon Water says.  “The rain is also preventing us from patching potholes, plus it contributes to the development of more,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works.

Roads where excavations occurred (utility cuts) that are covered with gravel waiting for paving can also become bumpy as moisture soaks in. Grader crews are packing and leveling gravel-covered locations on high-traffic streets until the area is dry enough for permanent paving.  Gravel back lanes and rural roads may also be experiencing this, if possible, drivers are asked to avoid such areas until they dry further to prevent greater damage.

The City of Saskatoon has infrastructure in place to reduce the frequency and severity of basement flooding and we also encourage residents to take necessary steps with their own home. These steps include:

- Extend downspouts at least six feet from your basement walls to help keep water away from the foundation and weeping tile.

- Clean debris from your eavestroughs to prevent them from overflowing.

- Build up the ground slope around your home so water flows away from your basement walls.

- Check the drainage paths on your property to ensure storm water flows to the lane or street, not towards your home.

- Repair all leaks in walls, floors, windows and doors.

- Install window wells around basement windows to help prevent window sills from rotting and leaking.

- If you have protective plumbing such as a backflow valve and a sump pump, make sure they are working properly.

For more information on flood prevention in your home visit saskatoon.ca and look under “F” for Flooding. Call customer service at 306-975-2476 if you have water in your basement or to report a hazardous location on the roads.

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.

Saskatoon has experienced a significant amount of rainfall in May and June, increasing the amount of standing water that creates optimal conditions for nuisance mosquitoes.  Typically, this does not affect populations of Culex tarsalis, the mosquito that transmits the West Nile virus.
To reduce mosquito populations, the City of Saskatoon:
• controls mosquito larvae using a biological pesticide;
• maps mosquito habitat to systematically treat areas in Saskatoon and the surrounding area;
• monitors populations of adult mosquitoes and provides updated counts on www.saskatoon.ca; and
• continually evaluates and tests new control products, such as a time-released biological pesticide that is being considered for future use.
Saskatoon residents can also reduce mosquito populations by eliminating standing water on their property with these simple steps: 
• remove all standing water from your property. Mosquito larvae can develop in any amount of water that is allowed to stand for four days or more;
• ensure items in and around the property like pool covers, wading pools, saucers under flower pots, toys, and pet bowls are regularly emptied or replaced with clean water;
• clean eavestroughs regularly so water does not collect in them;
• empty and clean bird baths twice weekly;
• ensure openings in rain barrels are covered with mosquito screening; and
• ensure your yard is free of debris such as old tires that can hold rainwater.
Together, we can reduce the amount of mosquitoes in Saskatoon.  For more information on the mosquito control program, visit www.saskatoon.ca, look under “M” for Mosquito Control.
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.

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