News Releases

Construction is starting a little earlier than usual this year. On Tuesday, February 28, a nine-month-long rehabilitation will begin on the 40-year-old Circle Drive North Bridge. The project will start with a full closure of the westbound lanes with two-way traffic being accommodated in the eastbound lanes.

“When construction wraps up on the westbound side of the bridge in approximately four months from now, it will then reopen to accommodate two-way traffic while work happens on the eastbound side,” says Todd Grabowski, Engineering Manager, Asset Preservation. “It is unusual to start construction so early in the year, but because this is a major, months-long project on one of Saskatoon’s busiest roadways, we need to start early so we can finish during one construction season rather than extending the work over two.”

Grabowski says the City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need for the rehabilitation of the Circle Drive North Bridge to optimize the service life and diminish the overall capital lifecycle costs.

“Certain elements of the bridge are nearing the end of their typical lifecycle, so this is a proactive construction project to ensure it lasts for years to come. Work will include replacing asphalt and barriers, improvements to drainage and concrete, and repairs to the piers and abutments.”

The pedestrian bridge underneath the Circle Drive North Bridge will not be impacted during the rehabilitation project. A section of Spadina Crescent underneath the bridge will close at some points during construction to accommodate scaffolding.

“We know this construction project is going to be a pain in the asphalt because moving through this area of Circle Drive will be much slower than usual. We will continually monitor traffic and adjust signals throughout the city as necessary to minimize delays and disruptions as much as possible,” says Grabowski.

The 275-metre-long bridge opened in 1983 at a cost of $11.8 million. In 2005, additional lanes were added on each side of the bridge and in 2007, the pedestrian bridge opened.

For more information about the Circle Drive North Rehabilitation project, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Construction has started on a dry storm pond in Weaver District Park. It’s the third of nine Flood Control Strategy (FCS) projects the City of Saskatoon has undertaken, and it will be completed in 2024. The FCS, aimed at reducing neighbourhood flooding during intense rainfalls, was approved by City Council in 2018.

The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward the nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from Storm Water Utility charges.

“Prairie communities have long excelled at finding new and innovative ways to protect their citizens from flooding hazards,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “We will continue to be guided by their expertise in delivering infrastructure projects that create more resilient communities, in Saskatchewan and across the country.”

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause flooding in intersections and nearby properties during intense rainfalls. The water flows into the pond instead, then slowly drains into the storm sewer system. Whenever dry, it is used as recreational or park space.

“Once operational, the Weaver Park dry storm pond will reduce flooding to properties near the intersections of Cascade Street and Dufferin Avenue, and Bute Street and Dufferin Avenue,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The project is being built in the north end of the park where a recreation field is also being incorporated into the design between the playground and dry storm pond.”

The City of Saskatoon opened the W.W. Ashley District dry storm pond in 2022 and the Churchill Park dry storm pond project will be completed later this year. Six more FCS projects will be built in Saskatoon over the next four years.

For more information about the FCS program and future project locations, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.

A city-wide initiative is rolling out this spring that will help divert up to 20,000 tonnes, or about 3,300 garbage truck loads, of organics from the Saskatoon landfill every year. Throughout March and April, all households with black garbage carts and blue recycling carts will receive a third cart - a green cart - specifically for materials like food and yard waste.

“Our studies show that up to fifty-seven percent of what the average Saskatoon household throws into the garbage can actually be put to good, sustainable use,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “Lawn clippings, leaves, meat, dairy, and even soiled paper are among the many things that residents will be able to divert from their garbage to the green cart.”

When biweekly collection starts in May, green cart materials will be taken to a third-party processing facility that turns everything into nutrient-rich compost faster and at higher temperatures than at-home composting or a compost depot. Compost produced will meet the highest certification as a safe and healthy fertilizer for yards, gardens and farms.  

The green carts, with an information package and kitchen pail attached, will be delivered to the front of each home between mid-March and the end of April. Subscribers to the previous Green Cart Program will continue to use their existing carts but will also receive the kitchen pail. The pail is to collect food waste inside before transferring it into the green cart.

Because so much of what we throw away can go into the green cart, Lemke says garbage cart collection will continue on a biweekly schedule once the green cart service begins in May. Green carts will be collected at the same location as the black and blue carts.

“If they’re not already thinking about it, then now is a great time for residents to consider how they will get rid of waste going forward. Is it really garbage or can it go into the green cart? Is it recyclable or could it be reused? By asking ourselves these questions and putting our waste in the right place, we are helping protect the health of our land, air and water while reducing the need for a new landfill.”

A monthly average utility fee of $6.73 will appear on City utility bills beginning in May. The fee covers collection, composting, cart maintenance, education programs and program management. The City is planning a multi-unit residential organics program, but for now, residents who utilize the large communal garbage and recycling bins are not affected by these changes and will not be charged monthly. This summer, businesses and organizations that generate food and yard waste will be required to separate it from the garbage.

For more information about green carts, and to download the ‘Saskatoon Waste Wizard’ app where you can check collection dates and sign up for collection reminders, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.

Since it was built in 1958, the City’s Greenhouse facility (Greenhouse) located within the Vic Rempel yards off Avenue P North, has provided plants for all the City’s flowerpots, flower beds and indoor greenery and has now reached the end of its service life.  

In recent years, the Greenhouse has experienced escalating structural concerns due to its age and unique design and will soon need to be vacated for the safety of staff. In September 2022, an engineering assessment indicated increasing issues with the Greenhouse structure from the previous year and recommended that it be vacated.   

The City wants everyone to know that bright and beautiful flowers will continue to be planted citywide by Parks staff every year. While options will be explored for the future of the Greenhouse, the City has secured a suitable private sector contractor to provide seasonal plants for the 2023 season. 

Later this year, City Administration will bring a report back to City Council outlining longer-term recommendations for the future of the Greenhouse program.