News Releases

With the full impacts of the construction season upon us, it’s more important than ever that Saskatoon drivers are remaining patient, alert and cautious when navigating work zones. It’s easy to grow frustrated when encountering construction delays and detours, but the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Police Service are sending a message that any driver behaviour that disrespects workers or compromises safety will not be tolerated.

“This is the time of year that we usually start to see growing impatience on the roads in response to our heavy volume of active roadwork,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “Which is why this is the perfect time in the construction season to remind drivers that disrespecting workers or work zone signage isn’t an option. Our workers have the full support of the City and the Saskatoon Police Service in protecting work zones and this is for their safety as well as the safety of all road users.”

Drivers are required to slow to 60 km/hr when posted. Regular fines triple in construction zones, with tickets starting at $300 and the possibility of vehicle impoundment or license suspension. Drivers are also required to obey flag people; disregarding their signals can result in a ticket or a criminal code charge such as dangerous driving.

“Since May 1, we’ve issued close to 200 work zones tickets,” says SPS Acting Sergeant, Pat Foster. “Our Traffic Unit conducts regular enforcement of work zones and we also act on reports and surveillance footage provided by construction workers. One of the most expensive tickets we’ve issued so far this construction season was for $764 when a driver was clocked at 116 km/hr in a 60 km/hr work zone.”

Saskatoon drivers are reminded to allow a little extra time when using the roads at this time of year. As well, the City hosts helpful trip planning tools at saskatoon.ca/betterroads that can help drivers reroute their commute around active construction.

The Respect Work Zones campaign supports the City Council Strategic Priority (2016-2020 Term) of Transportation. This year, through the Building Better Roads program, City Council is investing $61 million to build, maintain and repair sidewalks and roadways in local neighbourhoods in addition to other projects around the city. 

The City of Saskatoon is moving forward with implementation of its Growth Plan to Half a Million.  In preparation for a public launch in fall 2017, Saskatoon City Council today awarded contracts for the planning and design of the City’s future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and city-wide Growth Plan Engagement. 

At its July 26 meeting, City Council approved the award of two contracts:

• BRT planning and design experts, HDR Inc., with sub-consultants CIMA+ and Dillon Consulting, to work on detailed planning and design for Saskatoon’s city-wide Bus Rapid Transit and Conventional Transit system, and
• Planning and engagement firm, O2 Planning + Design to work with the City to develop scalable in-person and online engagement in support of multiple Growth Plan projects.

Both firms were the highest scoring firms in competitive bid-processes that drew international attention from industry-leading teams.

City Administration will make two additional recommendations in August for contracts relating to the Transit Village Concept Design along the BRT lines, and a Brownfield Renewal Strategy in support of the Corridor Growth Program.

Background:

At its April 25, 2016 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved in principle the Growth Plan to Half a Million which includes plans for a re-envisioned transit system based around Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and infill at strategic locations in the city including downtown, the university endowment lands and along major transportation corridors.  Following this approval, the City created a Ten Year Action Plan to advance a number of the growth plan’s core initiatives.

The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million towards these growth projects through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund.  In support of these projects the City has issued Requests For Proposals (RFPs) on a number of projects:

• Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design and Engineering Services
• Transit Village Concept Plans
• Growth Plan Engagement
• Corridor Growth Program – Brownfield Renewal Strategy

Quotations:

“As Saskatoon continues to grow, it is important that our transit options are strong, that citizens are able to get around and that neighbourhoods are connected. The implementation of our Bus Rapid Transit system is crucial in achieving this and to creating a truly 21^st Century City, one that is ready to address the needs of people and respond to rapidly changing technology. It is important that the investments being made in transit are as effective and efficient as possible so that we can be the city that gets it right.” – His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor, City of Saskatoon

This update highlights some of the ways the City is preparing for its growth plan implementation this fall.  More details on these projects and the City’s larger work on growth plan implementation will be presented in the coming months.

For the July 26, 2017 Meeting of City Council

9.7.1 Award of Contract – Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design and Engineering Services Request for Proposals

*City Council will be asked to approve the contract and award it to HDR Corporation for a total contract amount of $3,052,726.44 (including taxes).

Additional Information

*Enhancements to the current transit system and the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit system have been identified in the Growth Plan as a high priority moving forward. Effective September 15, 2016, several Growth Plan projects received approval for federal funding support through Phase 1 of the Infrastructure Fund. The combination of City and federal funding brings the total amount of the City’s eligible Infrastructure Fund projects dedicated to infrastructure design to $7.6 million.

*At its May 23, 2017 meeting, City Council approved a recommendation authorizing the Administration to issue three RFPs required for the Infrastructure Fund projects: Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design, and Engineering Services; Transit Village Concept Plans; and Growth Plan Engagement.

*External engineering services are recommended to complete the planning and design of all aspects related to the implementation of the Transit Plan including a Bus Rapid Transit system, as outlined in the Growth Plan Technical Report (Growth Plan).

* A contract awarded to HDR Corporation is recommended for design and engineering services to complete the Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning at a total contract amount of $3,052,726.44 (including taxes).

9.7.2 Rotary Clubs’ Gazebo Project – Rotary Park

*City Council will be asked to approve a request by the five Rotary Clubs of Saskatoon to design, construct, and donate a gazebo for installation in Rotary Park.

Additional Information

* The Rotary Clubs submitted a letter of intent to the City on July 6, 2017, making the proposal as a way to commemorate the 100^th Anniversary of Rotary Clubs in Saskatoon.

*The estimated cost of the gazebo is $90,000

* Subject to approval, the Rotary Clubs would hold a dedication ceremony in Rotary Park on August 15, 2017, to coincide with a visit from the Rotary International President.

9.11.2 Provincial Disaster Assistance Program

*City Council will be advised that the City of Saskatoon apply to be designated as an Eligible Assistance Area under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program as a result of the July 10, 2017 storm that brought excessive rain.

Additional Information

*The City has received calls from private property owners who have experienced property damage as a result of flooding caused by excessive amounts of rain resulting from a rainfall which occurred on July 10, 2017.

*To date, the City Solicitor’s Office has received six calls. Also, both the Saskatoon Water and Public Works’ Divisions have received calls from residents.

* It is the Administration’s understanding that damage caused by excessive amounts of rain would qualify under Saskatchewan’s Provincial Disaster Assistance Program. The minimum criterion for a declaration is one claim of $5,000 or several smaller claims totalling $25,000. Based on calls received to date, Saskatoon has met the requirements.

*In order for individual citizens to receive assistance under the provincial program, the City of Saskatoon must be designated an Eligible Assistance Area.

After months of planning and preparation, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (the Zoo) and fRI Research, a non-profit research corporation based in Hinton, Alberta, have formalized a five-year agreement for the Zoo and the fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program to collaboratively carry out research on grizzly bear conservation and health.

“We are beyond excited to partner with the fRI Research on this amazing grizzly bear conservation and health research program,” says Zoo Manager, Tim Sinclair-Smith.

“This program will provide an opportunity for the Zoo to actively engage in conservation research, allow us to link research initiatives at the Zoo to those happening in the wild and support the conservation of grizzly bears in Canada.”

Over the next nine months, the research program will focus on the following:

• genetic identification of Zoo grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda by hair-based DNA analysis;
• effect of berry consumption on fecal based DNA analysis;
• planning and development of a naturalistic enclosure for grizzly bears at the Zoo which will utilize research findings on grizzly bear habitat and behaviour;
• communication of research activities and findings in the areas of grizzly bear health and conservation; and
• securing financial support for a Conservation Research and Wildlife Health Department at the Zoo, which will include the development and operation of a permanent Wildlife Health Centre.

The program will be coordinated by Dr. Marc Cattet, a wildlife health researcher and veterinarian for the fRI Research Grizzly Bear Program.  Dr. Cattet will work closely with Gordon Stenhouse, Research Scientist, and fRI Grizzly Bear Program Leader, on all aspects of this important new partnership.

“We are very pleased to be moving forward with this important new collaboration with the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo,” Stenhouse says.  “This partnership will allow us to communicate conservation research findings with Zoo visitors and to work with captive bears to answer scientific questions which we hope will ultimately result in the long-term conservation of this species.”

Mistaya is the sole surviving cub from Bear 66, a well-known female grizzly, who was killed in 2005 on the CP Rail tracks through Banff National Park.  He stayed in the wild until it became clear that he could not survive without intervention.

Koda was found orphaned that same year in the Grand Prairie region.  He was rescued and nurtured by zookeepers at the Edmonton Valley Zoo.  The cubs were paired at the Calgary Zoo and later transferred to their permanent home in Saskatoon.

For more information on the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, visit saskatoon.ca/zoo.

As we approach the midpoint of summer, Saskatoon residents are seeing widespread evidence of the investment in the City’s roads and road network infrastructure. Construction projects are underway across the city that will result in improved road and sidewalk surfaces, reduced delays at major intersections, and new infrastructure including significant water and sewer upgrades.

“The volume of construction we’re undertaking this year is unprecedented, and there will be a very noticeable improvement at the end of this construction season,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “Since 2013, residents have been telling us through our annual Civic Services Survey that the condition of our roads is the single biggest issue facing Saskatoon. We’re working to answer that call and have made tremendous progress since we started the Building Better Roads program.”

Intersection Improvements

• Complete – 22^nd Street & Diefenbaker Drive
• On schedule – 51^st Street & Warman Road; Taylor Street & Preston Avenue  

This work will result in reduced delays, easier movements, and increased safety at each of these high traffic intersections.

Resurfacing

Beginning tonight, resurfacing work will begin on stretches of Airport Drive, Circle Drive and Idylwyld Drive. Resurfacing means removing a layer of deteriorated pavement and replacing it with a new layer of asphalt, leaving a smooth and stable driving surface. This work will be undertaken overnight (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) to minimize traffic impacts.

Microsurfacing

Beginning this weekend, the City will start microsurfacing which needs warmer temperatures for successful application. Microsurfacing is a preservation surface treatment that leaves the road in ‘like-new’ condition. It’s applied to weathered or worn surfaces that are structurally sound.

Other Progress

• Close to 4,000 sidewalks panels have been replaced; an additional 765 panels have received a maintenance treatment
• Close to 700 km of roadway and crosswalk lines have been painted
• Sealing of city bridges is taking place throughout July and August
• Grading of gravel back lanes is taking place in more than 40 neighbourhoods
• Pothole repair crews are working seven days a week to fill potholes with hot-mix asphalt
• Significant water and sewer upgrades are underway in neighbourhoods across the city which includes the replacement of dated underground infrastructure and approximately 900 lead water service pipes to homes and businesses
• Work continues to progress on the construction of the new Traffic Bridge and North Commuter Parkway, as well as the construction of new interchanges at Boychuk Drive & Highway 16 and McOrmond Drive & College Drive

“With so many active construction projects underway around the city, we know what a pain it can be for people trying to navigate the roads,” says Anger. “We plan our construction season to lessen these impacts as much as possible, but of course it’s not possible to avoid traffic delays altogether. We’re asking everyone to remember the work is necessary and will be worth it in the long run.”

For 2017, City Council invested more than $61 million on the construction and maintenance of roads, sidewalks, back lanes, plus water and sewer infrastructure. This is roughly $2 million more than last year, and around $8 million more than in 2015.