News Releases

Construction milestones are about to be reached on two new interchanges currently under construction in Saskatoon. Both interchanges are ready for the installation of girders - concrete structures that support the bridge deck. 56 girders will first be placed over the eastbound and westbound lanes of College Drive at McOrmond Drive.

“Installation at this site will take approximately three weeks,” says Bryan Zerebeski, Project Manager, Saskatoon Interchange Project. “The girders were manufactured in Alberta. Once on site, a 250 tonne crane will immediately lift them into place.”

The girders range between 29 and 38 meters in length and are 1.2 meters wide by 1 meter high. Installation will begin at the McOrmond and College site on Monday, March 26 and traffic restrictions will be in place on Highway 5, east of the temporary intersection during girder installation. Work on the interchange at McOrmond Drive and College Drive began in April of 2017.

Construction of the new interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 has also been underway since April of 2017. Girders will be installed at that site once installations are complete at McOrmond and College.  

The speed limit through both construction sites is 60 km/h. Drivers are reminded to expect delays.

Visit saskatoon.ca/interchanges for project updates, alternate route maps, and to see 3D renderings.

Around 8:20 a.m. this morning a westbound Saskatoon Transit Bus was involved in a collision with a truck at the intersection of Idylwyld Drive and 22^nd Street West. No injuries have been reported. The Transit bus sustained significant damage. Emergency services were called to scene.

As is the practice, Transit officials are conducting an internal review of the incident.

The Office of the Chief Coroner today concluded the September 11, 2017 drowning death of five-year-old Ahmedsadiq Elmmi was accidental and no inquest will be held.

“First of all – as we did at the time of the incident – the City extends its heartfelt condolences to Ahmed Elmmi’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “As a parent myself I can’t imagine what this family has had to deal with.”

The Coroner made three recommendations for the City:

1. To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access.
2. During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.
3. Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.

To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access.

“We would agree with the Coroner’s recommendation here,” Gardiner says. “The Fire Department routinely offers public education on safety near the river or ponds, and has reached out to the School Divisions to offer such a program in schools.”

Gardiner says the City presented its proposed recommendations for storm water retention ponds to the community which include an educational component for schools and community associations as well as easy to understand signage around all storm water retention ponds.

During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.

Gardiner highlights this is already under discussion with the community and outlines the proposed recommendations:

1. In new neighbourhoods, storm ponds should be located a safe distance from schools, unless separated by a barrier or other risk mitigating factors are in place.   Barriers could be in the form of roads or residential/commercial developments. 
2. If safety risks cannot be mitigated through location and other design options, we would assess fencing as a barrier on a case-by-case basis.
3. Finally, for Dundonald Park, a partial 1.2 m high wrought-iron fence on the school side of the park pathway is recommended.

Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.

Gardiner says this is also being addressed with the proposed recommendations shared with the community.

"A partial fence to provide separation between school activities and the public’s activities in the park and the pond is being proposed”, she says. “However, no matter the infrastructure in place, School officials have pointed out in the past that one of the best educational strategies is for parents to be talking to their children about safety whether it be around any ponds, the river, roads, or even railroad tracks that run through the city.”

The City will have a closer look at the report from the Public School Division also being released today and work with all school officials on any recommendations

Gardiner says she’s also expecting a report from the Children’s Advocate which will be carefully considered by the City Administration.

The proposed recommendations under development will be presented first to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services April 16 then to City Council for approval.

• Winter Comfort and Access - Projects that improve comfort and accessibility. 
• Winter Design - Urban design installations which celebrate winter. 
• Winter Activities - Events, festivals and activities that build enthusiasm for winter by taking advantage of winter opportunities and celebrate the fun quality of life.   

The City is reaching out to residents for ideas on how to improve our lives through innovation, data, and technology as part of the Smart Cities Challenge.

“Our City is filled with talented people.  This is our chance to bring people and ideas together to help tackle some of the complex social issues that are affecting the health and safety of families and neighbourhoods,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

Recently launched by the Government of Canada, the Smart Cities Challenge asks communities to share their best ideas for improving the lives of their residents by becoming a smart city.  Simply explained, smart cities are those that use technology and data to improve livability and opportunities for the city and its residents.

“Saskatoon has a chance to lead the way on quality of life improvements for our residents,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation and Community Development.  “We can do this by using technology in ways that support existing and new work in our community and beyond.”

The first step in the application process is to develop a Challenge Statement that defines the outcomes a community aims to achieve.

The focus for Saskatoon’s Challenge Statement is to enhance community safety and wellbeing.  The Challenge Statement must be developed based on the input of a city’s residents, so the City has begun a process of reaching out to individuals, families, community organizations, institutions, and the technology sector.

Saskatoon residents are being asked for their ideas on how to address the challenges our city faces as they relate to community safety and wellbeing.  Be bold, put on your thinking caps and rise to the challenge!

Everyone can get involved by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage on or before Monday, April 2, 2018, and answering four questions to participate in a community-wide brainstorm to narrow down key themes for the Challenge Statement.

“When residents can solve the problems they face, they are far more empowered and engaged in the community and have a strong sense of belonging and purpose,” Lacroix says.

The City is partnering with the Central Urban Métis Federation, Saskatoon Health Authority, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Tribal Council, United Way, and University of Saskatchewan in the development of the Smart Cities Challenge Application.

Challenge Details
​The Challenge has three rounds of competition.  Saskatoon has until Tuesday, April 24, 2018, to submit a Challenge Statement application in the first round.  The Government of Canada will announce round one finalists in Summer 2018, and each finalist will receive $250,000 to further develop their ideas into a full proposal.  Winners will be announced in Spring 2019 and will have their ideas funded through a potential $10 million prize (Eligible Category:  Communities with Populations under 500,000).

Visit the Government of Canada's Challenge website to learn more about Smart Cities, and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #smartcitiesCanada.