News Releases

In keeping with the City of Saskatoon’s strategic goal of continuous improvement, a new online tool has been launched that will allow residents to report traffic related concerns more accurately and efficiently. The new online interactive map provides citizens with the opportunity to report a traffic issue or concern associated with traffic, road signage/signals and safety on any Saskatoon street.

“The Report a Traffic Issue map is designed to replace the previous method of reporting, an online survey that linked to the City website,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “Residents can now pin point the exact location of the issue they are reporting and provide more details, including adding a photo, which will help engineers to investigate the concern.”  

Similar to the City’s Report a Pothole Map, residents find the correct location, place a dot on the map and follow the prompts to report an issue. There are nine traffic issue categories to choose from including cycling safety, back lanes, pedestrian safety, road construction, shortcutting traffic, speeding, signage, traffic delays or congestion and walkways.  

The application allows a user to add an image and provide an explanation of the issue they are reporting in an open comment box. Once submitted, the user is provided with a Request ID number that can be used for follow up with the Transportation Division. A customer service representative will respond to map users on their reported issues within 2 business days.

The one difference between this application and the pothole map is, once a report is submitted on the Report a Traffic Issue Map , the red point will no longer display on the public facing map. It will however continue to show up on the internal facing map referenced by City engineers. This is designed so other residents are not deterred from making a report by thinking an issue has already been reported. Duplicate reports of the same issue by multiple residents will help Transportation engineers determine the priority of the issue.

“This new online tool will streamline processes and allow for greater efficiencies in tracking and dealing with concerns in a timely and effective manner,” says Gardiner. “We will also be able to use the data to assess any developing trends that emerge.”

The City’s Transportation Division addresses traffic concerns in residential areas through the Neighbourhood Traffic Review process where appropriate. Otherwise, concerns are investigated on a case-by-case basis and action depends on engineering assessment and funding levels.

The Report a Traffic Issue Map is available on a desktop browser, smart phone or tablet device. To access the map please visit saskatoon.ca/TrafficIssuesMap.

In keeping with the City of Saskatoon’s strategic goal of continuous improvement, a new online tool has been launched that will allow residents to report traffic related concerns more accurately and efficiently. The new online interactive map provides citizens with the opportunity to report a traffic issue or concern associated with traffic, road signage/signals and safety on any Saskatoon street.

“The Report a Traffic Issue map is designed to replace the previous method of reporting, an online survey that linked to the City website,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “Residents can now pin point the exact location of the issue they are reporting and provide more details, including adding a photo, which will help engineers to investigate the concern.”  

Similar to the City’s Report a Pothole Map, residents find the correct location, place a dot on the map and follow the prompts to report an issue. There are nine traffic issue categories to choose from including cycling safety, back lanes, pedestrian safety, road construction, shortcutting traffic, speeding, signage, traffic delays or congestion and walkways.  

The application allows a user to add an image and provide an explanation of the issue they are reporting in an open comment box. Once submitted, the user is provided with a Request ID number that can be used for follow up with the Transportation Division. A customer service representative will respond to map users on their reported issues within 2 business days.

The one difference between this application and the pothole map is, once a report is submitted on the Report a Traffic Issue Map , the red point will no longer display on the public facing map. It will however continue to show up on the internal facing map referenced by City engineers. This is designed so other residents are not deterred from making a report by thinking an issue has already been reported. Duplicate reports of the same issue by multiple residents will help Transportation engineers determine the priority of the issue.

“This new online tool will streamline processes and allow for greater efficiencies in tracking and dealing with concerns in a timely and effective manner,” says Gardiner. “We will also be able to use the data to assess any developing trends that emerge.”

The City’s Transportation Division addresses traffic concerns in residential areas through the Neighbourhood Traffic Review process where appropriate. Otherwise, concerns are investigated on a case-by-case basis and action depends on engineering assessment and funding levels.

The Report a Traffic Issue Map is available on a desktop browser, smart phone or tablet device. To access the map please visit saskatoon.ca/TrafficIssuesMap

In December, City Council approved an additional $1.04 million in the 2016 budget to increase ice management and to build a base for future city-wide snow removal on residential streets. Up to $240,000 will increase sanding and salting on priority 3 streets from twelve hours to six; with $85,000 dedicated to outfitting the fleet of sanders with pre-wet mechanisms.

“This increased budget will allow us to address the types of conditions we have been experiencing this winter more effectively,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “While mild weather is always welcomed, the increased number of freeze/thaw cycles is something we could continue to experience in winters to come. We’ll be better prepared for these types of weather events and the unique challenges they present with new equipment added to our fleet.”

Last winter, the City piloted a new technique called pre-wetting. A sanding truck was modified to spray a magnesium-chloride brine to the salt/sand blend as it was applied to the road surface. The moisture helped the sand stick to the roadway for traction, while the chemical activated the melting properties of salt to soften ice at lower temperatures.

“The pre-wetting solution has proven to be highly effective on priority streets. With the recent approved budget, we have been able to order 8 additional pre-wet systems and 4 1-tonne sanders, making for a grand total of 12. With an entire fleet of sanders on board by next winter, drivers will be sure to notice improved traction and less icing on priority streets.”

The additional funds for snow removal will be used to increase the frequency of windrow removal on priority streets. School Zones will also have more frequent snow removal, with a goal to increase windrow zones by 20 m. The plan for these programs is under development and will be presented to City Council over the next few months.

Winter road maintenance results so far this winter:

• 1,600 tandem truckloads of snow removed from City streets
• 20,000 tonnes of sand, 5,000 tonnes of pre-wet sand/salt and 4,500 tonnes of pre-mix sand applied
• 60 tonnes of cold mix asphalt used to temporarily repair potholes and utility cuts
• 130 total combined water and sewer main breaks were repaired restoring services for residents

For the fifth consecutive year, the City of Saskatoon is one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2016.

“We are pleased to be recognized for our accomplishments in this area,” says City Manager, Murray Totland.

Recognized for a fifth year demonstrates the City’s employment initiatives are supported at the national level.

“A sustainable strategy to reach our goals is important,” Totland says. “We will continuously improve and promote our progress toward a workplace which embraces diversity.”

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2016 are outlined in the February 24, 2016 edition of The Globe and Mail as well as on Eluta.ca. 

More information has come to light about an incident which damaged Leslie Potter’s work “Visionaries” overnight.

“We are somewhat relieved it appears the damage was accidental,” says Community Initiatives Manager, Kevin Kitchen.  “Of course, we would prefer no harm come to public works of art, but we are similarly encouraged the artist tells us he believes it can be restored.”

Further details may be forthcoming, but initial accounts are police received a call on Monday just after 8:00 p.m. that a traffic collision involving multiple vehicles caused damage to the statue.

“Visionaries” was installed in 1994 at the corner of 21st Street East and 2nd Avenue South.  In all, two of three carved Dolomite figures were knocked over, and one of the carvings broke into three pieces.

Kitchen says staff will still have to follow up with the City’s insurance company and the artist to see what the next steps will be.