News Releases

At 9:00 a.m. today, the two south spans of Traffic Bridge were successfully taken down using explosive charges. The area has now been inspected and secured and road closures and traffic detours are being reopened. The 250 m exclusion zone has also been lifted.

The demolition was managed by Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), through their contract with licensed blasting specialist Rakowski Cartage & Wrecking Ltd. Saskatoon’s Police Service and Fire Department patrolled the area surrounding Traffic Bridge to ensure public safety.

Once the debris from the demolition is cleared, construction of the south portion of the new bridge can begin. GCP is hopeful that residents will start to see the first new southern span being erected by this summer.

The remaining two northern spans of the old bridge will be taken down as construction progresses. Details on future demolition dates will be shared as they are known.

The City wishes to thank residents, especially property owners and tenants within the exclusion zone, for their cooperation during this first phase of demolition. For more information about the Bridging to Tomorrow Project, including the new Traffic Bridge and the North Commuter Parkway, visit saskatoon.ca/bridging.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Work continues on the new Traffic Bridge and on Sunday, January 10 at 9:00 a.m. the two south spans of the old bridge will be taken down. To dismantle the spans, cuts will be made on sections of the bridge and explosive charges will cause the spans to fall.

“The demolition will be conducted according to a comprehensive demolition plan that has been shared with stakeholders including the Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, and others,” says Dan Willems, Special Projects Manager with Major Projects. “The demolition plan outlines the blast procedure, safety measures to ensure the public and workers are safe, and the clean-up of any hazardous material located within the old bridge material.”

The demolition will be managed by Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), through their contract with licensed blasting specialist Rakowski Cartage & Wrecking Ltd.

An exclusion zone with a radius of 250 meters from the blasting site will be in place approximately one hour prior to the blast to limit public access and maintain citizen safety. Property owners located within the exclusion zone are being notified in writing by the contractor and provided with safety information, including the message to remain indoors during the demolition.

Residents in the exclusion zone who sign up to receive messages via the City’s NotifyNow notification system will also receive notifications about the demolition.

Safety officers hired by the contractor, as well as the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatoon Fire Department, will be on site around the exclusion zone perimeter. The Saskatoon Fire Department will also patrol the South Saskatchewan River and riverbank to ensure public safety.

Anyone interested in viewing the demolition may watch from outside the exclusion zone. The optimum viewing area is the Broadway Bridge, which will be closed to vehicle traffic. Eye or ear protection is not required as there is no risk of flying debris or dust from this location.

Three minutes prior to the blast, a series of three short sirens will signal a warning that the blast will occur. After the blast, which will take only a few seconds, the contractor will check the site to ensure all explosives have been detonated and the site is safe. At this time, a longer all-clear siren will sound.

Road closures and traffic detours will be in place from between approximately 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to ensure vehicles are safely outside the exclusion zone. Details of these will be shared in advance using the City’s regular communication mechanisms.

The public is free to take photos and video of the demolition from any area outside of the exclusion zone.

The remaining two spans of the old bridge will be taken down as construction progresses. Details on demolition dates will be shared as they are known.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon is celebrating the season of giving at this time of year, and recognizing the Snow Angels who go above and beyond to help fellow neighbours keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice throughout winter.

His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison today thanked and presented a gift to Pat Freriks, this month’s winner of the Snow Angel program’s prize draw. Freriks was nominated as a Snow Angel by his neighbour, Simon Valentine.

“Saskatoon is a city full of thoughtful folks who help each other out; the Snow Angel program embodies the spirit of being good neighbours, which is something we take pride in,” says His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison. “Pat is just one of hundreds of wonderful citizens nominated as a Snow Angel each winter, lending a hand to make Saskatoon a great place to live.”

“Every year since Pat has been living beside us, he clears my house of snow along with his,” says Valentine. “He’s never asked for anything in return and brushes it off when we thank him.”

A City bylaw requires residential sidewalks be clear of snow and ice within 48 hours after a snowfall. Commercial properties must have their walkways and sidewalks cleared within 24 hours. The City is responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to civic facilities, the Meewasin Trail and lit pathways in City parks.

“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around,” says Andrew Hildebrandt, Director of Community Standards. “A considerate gesture from a neighbour like this goes a long way in improving accessibility and mobility for everyone and deserves to be recognized.”

If residents receive help with their snow clearing, they can nominate them as a Snow Angel online at saskatoon.ca/snow. They’ll be sent a thank you card from His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison as well as entered into a monthly prize draw.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon Building Standards will begin permitting six storey wood frame construction in early 2016 when the 2015 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) is formally printed.  The building code currently limits wood frame construction to a maximum of four storeys. 

“There is a growing interest from our customers to build six storey wood frame structures,” says Kara Fagnou, Building Standards Director.  “Six storey wood frame construction consists of mid-rise commercial and, or residential buildings made out of wood instead of traditional steel or concrete materials.”

Six storey wood frame construction will be accepted in Saskatoon through the Building Standards Alternative Solution Process - supported by the 2015 NBC framework - in advance of anticipated adoption by the Province of Saskatchewan in mid-2017.

“This change provides a new opportunity to create beneficial, cost-effective mid-rise options between the current low-rise and high-rise development,” says Fagnou.  “Other jurisdictions have reported cost savings of $30 to $40 per square foot, or up to 20%, when compared to a similar building built with steel and concrete.”

Safety of the wood buildings is of primary importance, and applicants will be required to adhere to the upcoming 2015 National Fire Code, which has been amended to provide a prescription to reduce risk.

“Building Standards will work closely with the Saskatoon Fire Department and our municipal partners that have already implemented six storey wood buildings, to learn best practices to be accepted in Saskatoon,” she says.

This initiative will also support the goals of our Growth Plan to a Half Million, increasing urban density through the use of mid-rise commercial and, or residential buildings in key areas such as downtown, north downtown, University of Saskatchewan lands, and along the 22nd Street, Idylwyld Drive, 8th Street, College Drive, and Preston Avenue corridors.

For more information on the NBC or six storey wood frame construction, visit www.saskatoon.ca/buildingpermits.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

December 14, 2015 Meeting of City Council

9.5.1  Saskatoon Public Schools - By-Election - Ward Nine Establishment of Date, Hours of Voting, Polling Areas and Places, Advances/Special and Mobile Polls Wednesday, February 24, 2016 

*City Council passed a recommendation that establishes hours of voting, polling areas and places, Special Poll and Advance Poll hours and locations, and a Mobile Poll, for the Saskatoon Public Schools, Ward Nine by-election to be held on February 24, 2016.

Additional Information:

*There is a vacancy on the Saskatoon Public School Board for Ward Nine. In accordance with Section 7(1) of The Local Government Election Act, City Council is to name a day specified by the board as election day.
*At the November 24, 2015, regular meeting of the Saskatoon Public School Board, February 24, 2016 was set as the by-election date.

9.6.1 2016 Taxi License Fee Increase

*City Council passed Bylaw No. 9342, The Taxi Amendment Bylaw, 2015 (No. 3).

Additional Information:

*During the November 23, 2015 City Council meeting, Administration recommended the annual taxi license fee for 2016 increase from $375 to $525.

9.6.2 2016 Transit Fare Adjustment

*Council passed Bylaw No. 9340, The Transit Fares Amendment Bylaw, 2015.

Additional Information:

*During meetings on November 30 and December 1, 2015, Administration recommended Transit fares for 2016 be adjusted by increasing the costs of tickets, monthly passes, annual passes, senior passes and low income passes, and by decreasing the cash fares for post-secondary students, adults and seniors.

9.6.3 Fee Increase for Woodlawn Cemetery

City Council passed Bylaw No. 9341, The Cemeteries Amendment Bylaw, 2015.

Additional Information:

*During meetings on November 30 and December 1, 2015, Administration recommended an increase to cemetery fees for 2016 by an overall average of 5%.

9.6.4 2016 Fee Increase for Multi-Unit Residential Recycling

City Council passed Bylaw No. 9339, The Waste Amendment Bylaw, 2015.

Additional Information:

*The Waste Amendment Bylaw implements City Council’s decision to increase the Multi-Unit Residential Recycling Program fees effective January 1, 2016.

9.6.5 Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping and Ceremonial Tobacco Use

City Council passed Bylaw No. 9338, The Smoking Control Amendment Bylaw, 2015.

Additional Information:

*On November 23, 2015, City Council received a report recommending possible exemptions to existing smoking prohibitions to include the use of electronic cigarettes within an electronic cigarettes retailer and the use of tobacco in traditional Aboriginal spiritual or cultural practices or ceremonies being carried out in City-owned public places. City Council resolved that such exemptions be implemented and that the City Solicitor prepare the necessary bylaw amendment.

9.6.6 Municipal Governance Structure

City Council passed Bylaw No. 9331, The Procedures and Committees Amendment Bylaw, 2015 (No. 3).

Additional Information:

At its meeting held on November 23, 2015, City Council passed a resolution that:
-Executive Committee be renamed the Governance and Priorities Committee and remain a Committee of all members of Council; the Governance and Priorities Committee’s mandate includes: governance, strategic priorities, annual business plan and budget process, legal matters, human resource and collective bargaining issues and government relations; and, the Governance and Priorities Committee continues to meet on the third Monday of every month.
-City Council have the ability to extend a Regular Business Meeting past 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. upon a majority vote of the members present.
-For Public Hearings, members be prohibited from voting when absent for an entire Hearing; members vote when they have missed part of a Hearing but have reviewed a summary or a recording of what was missed; and, procedural provisions be included which aid in preventing members from missing small parts of Hearings.”