News Releases

The Bridging to Tomorrow Project is running on schedule, with completion of the North Commuter Parkway, new Traffic Bridge, and related road infrastructure slated for completion in October of 2018. Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) has been contracted to carry out the entire project.

“A lot of progress has been made since work started in late 2015,” says Dan Willems, Director of Major Projects. “Right now, GCP is mainly focused on pier and road construction for the North Commuter Parkway, intersection improvements at Central Avenue and Attridge Drive, and next week, they will start putting up the south span of the new Traffic Bridge.”

The new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the South Saskatchewan River. Once complete, it will resemble the original bridge, but will be wider. It is being built with weathering steel which will initially result in a two tone colour, but will eventually turn the entire bridge into one brown colour tone. Demolition of the last original Traffic Bridge span is scheduled for November.

The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of citizens who live in Saskatoon’s northeast and work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas. As a result of the new bridge and roadways, upgrades are required at Central Avenue and Attridge Drive in order to accommodate additional traffic and minimize congestion. The widening of this this intersection as well as the realignment of the eastbound off-ramp from Circle Drive East to Attridge Drive, is expected to wrap up by November of 2016.  

Bridging to Tomorrow project updates, including detailed monthly summaries, links to live cameras at each bridge site, and quarterly video updates, are available at saskatoon.ca/bridging. In person, anyone can watch Traffic Bridge progress at the River Landing viewing area. North Commuter Parkway construction can be viewed from the Meewasin Trail just east of the cul de sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

Two key intersections are scheduled for improvements in the coming weeks to help lessen traffic congestion, increase accessibility and ultimately improve safety. 

The Intersection Improvement Project Selection Process was created last year to prioritize key intersections that would benefit from improvements. This year, the intersections of Warman Road and 51st Street as well as Diefenbaker Drive and 22nd Street are in need of better safety measures and traffic flow.

“The intersection of Warman Road and 51st Street will be part of the North Commuter Parkway route scheduled to open in 2018,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “We know traffic patterns at this intersection are going to change when the bridge opens. So, work is being done in advance to ensure this area is ready to safely handle these changes.” 

Diefenbaker Drive and 22nd Street is also identified as an intersection that can expect significant changes in traffic volume, with eastbound and westbound traffic volumes expected to more than double in the coming years due to growth in the city. In addition, 22nd Street has also been identified as a likely bus rapid transit corridor so upgrades to this intersection will address pedestrian access and improve traffic flow and safety. 

Work on the intersections will include the modification of medians, the addition of left hand turn bays, moving of street lights, culvert modifications to improve water flow, and new pedestrian islands that will be larger with ramps for crossing in all directions. Work is scheduled to begin on the Diefenbaker Drive intersection on August 29. Work on the Warman Road intersection starts September 6 with both projects scheduled to be completed the week of November 10.

“While not as significant as in previous years, safe and easy to use roadways continue to be the top priority for people in Saskatoon,” Gardiner says. “With fewer people identifying it as their number one issue, that tells us we are making progress on our roadways and traffic management.”

Alluding to year-over-year results in the Civic Services Survey, Gardiner says it shows the City is meeting its goal of continuous improvement.

“The Civic Services Survey reflects a trend that the public is more satisfied with sidewalk maintenance, the maintenance of major roadways, freeways, back lanes and streets in community neighbourhoods.”

Gardiner points out public satisfaction is also up in how the City manages traffic flow and signage.  

“Our goal is to lessen traffic congestion, improve accessibility and ultimately improve safety. We know from the survey our investment is definitely making a difference.”

For results of the Civic Services Survey please see pages 18 & 21 (of the survey document).

For more details on the Intersection Improvement Project, please visit saskatoon.ca/intersectionimprovements.

As always, residents are reminded to slow down, pay attention and obey signage around work zones at all times. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. 

From the August 16, 2016 Meeting

7.1.1 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report.

Background

*The Bridging to Tomorrow Project includes the construction of the North Commuter Parkway and replacement of the Traffic Bridge. Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) is the contractor in charge of construction. Both bridges and surrounding road infrastructure is slated for completion in October of 2018.
*At the Traffic Bridge, concrete work on Pier 3 as well as the foundations and walls for the new north and south abutments are complete. The erection of Span 4, the southernmost span of the bridge, is anticipated to start within the next few weeks.
*GCP will use conventional weathering steel with a protective coating within the splash zone for the truss elements which will result in a two tone colour between the lower and upper portions of the structure. The entire bridge will eventually turn into one brown colour tone.
*Demolition of the last original bridge span of the Traffic Bridge is expected in November 2016.
*At the North Commuter Parkway bridge, construction of Pier 1, the west pier, is well underway, with the pier foundation, diaphragm, and columns already complete, and construction of the pier cap currently underway. The cofferdam was extended from the west bank to the centre of the river in late July and excavation work is underway to prepare for construction of Pier 2.
*Storm sewer installation for the widening of Central Avenue between Attridge Drive and Fedoruk Drive is nearing completion and the relocation of the SL&P overhead lines has started.
*Improvements to the intersection of Attridge Drive and Central Avenue, and the realignment of the eastbound off-ramp from Circle Drive East to Attridge Drive, commenced in May and are expected to be fully complete in October.

7.1.3 Launch of FlexParking System Application

Decision

*The Committee received the report.

Background

*The smart phone app will be publicly launched in November pending final testing. Implementation has been delayed to verify data security procedures.

7.2.1 Award of Contract - HOK Inc. for the Development of Idylwyld Drive Comprehensive Corridor Project and Streetscape Concept

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the award of contract for $183,708 (including taxes) be approved. It is for the development of the Idylwyld Drive Comprehensive Corridor Project and Streetscape Concept.

Background

*In January of 2014, City Council received a report that identified Idylwyld Drive, from Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge to Circle Drive North, as a priority street for streetscape improvements. The report stated that redevelopment of the Idylwyld Drive streetscape would enhance its functionality as a multi-modal corridor and support recommendations and directions emerging from current planning projects (City Centre Plan, North Downtown, and Growth Plan). The report identified a phased approach to implementation that would prioritize improvements from Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge to 33rd Street.

From the August 15, 2016 Meeting

7.1.3 2015 Annual Report – Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*SHIP was created in 1999, and strives to bring the necessary expertise, experience, and assistance to housing providers in order to help build the capacity to develop new affordable housing projects in Saskatoon.
*When SHIP was established, the City, as well as non-profit housing providers, agreed there was a gap in services and capacity that limited the development of affordable housing. SHIP’s role was to fill that gap by providing community-based services to help affordable housing providers develop business plans for affordable housing projects.
*SHIP’s 2015 Annual Report provides details of their activities in 2015, which should result in 114 new affordable rental units in Saskatoon.

7.1.4 2015 Annual Report – Regional Planning Section

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The Regional Planning Section was established in 2014 to provide dedicated resources to the development and implementation of a new Regional Plan. The primary role is to form and maintain working partnerships with other jurisdictions and agencies within the Saskatoon region to create a framework for increasing sustainable growth on a regional scale.  
*A summary of the noted 2015 Highlights includes a number of major initiatives undertaken by the Section.
*The Section has identified a number of key initiatives to pursue in 2016 to enhance regional partnerships and support planning on a regional scale.

7.2.1 Building Better Parks: An Asset Management Plan for Parks

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information and supported a recommendation for Administration to provide a report for the 2017 Business Plan and Budget deliberations on options to address the funding gap.

Background

*The report provides information on assets primarily belonging to the Parks and Facilities Divisions, such as pathway, irrigation, and play structure inventory.
*The average age of both asphalt pathways and irrigation systems within City parks is 18 years and based on age of the asset, 57% of these assets are in poor to very poor condition.
*The average age of play structures is 13 years and based on age of the asset, 44% of the play structures are in poor to very poor condition.
*A potential plan to increase annual funding to these park assets is outlined in the report.

7.2.2 Kinsmen Play Village Play Structure

Decision

*The Committee is reporting to City Council on August 18 to recommend:
1. Administration start on the design and purchase of accessible playground equipment for Caswell Hill with installation to be completed no later than June 2017 – to be funded from the Reserve for Capital Expenditures to a maximum of $253,000 and to include the remedial work at Kinsmen Play Village.
2. Reopen the gates to Kinsmen Play Village following appropriate safety checks.
3. Amend the Kinsmen Park Master Plan to retain certain elements of the Kinsmen Play Village, such as the play structure. 

Background

*The report provides background relating to the consultations involved in the development of the Kinsmen Park Master Plan and the subsequent decision to remove all amenities within the Kinsmen Play Village at Kinsmen Park. This report also provides information on the Kinsmen Park Master Plan and financial implications of retaining the play equipment within the Kinsmen Play Village at Kinsmen Park.

From the August 15, 2016 Meeting

7.1.1 Request to Sell City Owned Property (811 Melville Street)

Decision

*The Committee approved recommendations and added a fifth resolution that the Standard Terms and Conditions include one that proposals be consistent with the surrounding uses.

Background

*In June, City Council approved the purchase of Lots 6 and 7, Block 300, Plan G291 from St. Martin’s Church to relocate the current Fire Station No. 3 (1906 York Avenue) to the vacant north lot of St. Martin’s United Church. This is to address aging infrastructure concerns and improve overall response protection in the southeast portion of the city. As a result of the land acquisition for the relocation of Fire Station No. 3, the lot located on 811 Melville Street which was previously designated for Fire Station No. 11 is no longer needed.
*It was proposed 811 Melville Street be sold through an open market (standard terms) approach whereby non-binding offers are received from interested proponents and used to determine with which party further negotiations will take place.
*The Administration recommended a price of $1.2 million for this parcel, based on comparable land sales within the CN Industrial area.
*The Administration recommended standard terms and conditions requiring interested proponents to build uses consistent with surrounding automotive dealers.