News Releases

The City Administration is prepared to offer the contract for the building of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge and the new Traffic Bridge to Graham Commuter Partners.

“This will be the City’s largest infrastructure project ever,” says Dan Willems, Special Projects Manager with Major Projects. “We’ve gone through a very competitive procurement process and we thank each of our short-listed proponents for their submissions.”

A special meeting of City Council is set for Tuesday, September 8 to approve the project. Pending Council approval, Graham Commuter Partners will have 60 days to achieve financial close and, in November, a report will be brought back to Council outlining the financial details of the proposal.

“Graham Commuter Partners will build the bridges based on approved technical requirements and project design parameters, as well as finance and maintain both bridges for a period of 30 years while the City retains ownership of the bridges,” says Willems.

The North Commuter Parkway Project includes a six-lane bridge and 9.3 kilometres of new arterial roadways to link the Marquis Industrial area with the University Heights area. This link is accomplished by extending Marquis Drive across the South Saskatchewan River and connecting to McOrmond Drive at Fedoruk Drive, and extending Central Avenue from Fedoruk Drive north to the new extension of McOrmond Drive.

The Traffic Bridge will accommodate all modes of transportation while retaining a similar architecture to the previous structure as well as the riverscape of the past century. The new Traffic Bridge will include two driving lanes at 3.7 metres wide, and two 3 metre wide multi-use pathways on each side of the bridge to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

Through the P3 Canada Fund, the federal government will provide an investment of up to $66 million to the project, while the Province of Saskatchewan will contribute $50 million.

For more information about the Bridging to Tomorrow project, visit saskatoon.ca.

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.

As part of the City of Saskatoon’s bridge maintenance program, crews will begin repairs to the Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street overpass on Monday, September 14. The work is expected to last approximately five weeks, weather permitting.

“The maintenance work is necessary to repair deteriorated concrete and restore deck joint seals on the bridge,” says Rob Frank, Manager of Asset Preservation. “A temporary structure will support the bridge while concrete is removed and replaced. This work will ensure the continued use of the overpass well into the future.”

The project was designed to minimize the impact to drivers and to ensuring traffic continues to move on and under the overpass. The work will be carried out in two phases:

Phase 1 Concrete Repairs – approximately 2 – 3 weeks (24-hour restrictions)

• Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street southbound curb (outside) lane will be closed
• 1st Avenue under Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane will be closed

Phase 2 Expansion joint seal replacements – approximately 2 weeks (night restrictions only 8pm – 6am)

• Alternating full closures of one of the following
  • Idylwyld Drive northbound over 19th Street
  • Idylwyld Drive southbound over 19th Street
  • 1st Ave northbound ramp over 19th Street

Access to Sid Buckwold Bridge will be maintained at all times.

“This is a high traffic area so we do expect there will be delays,” says Frank. “However, now that the rehabilitation of the University Bridge is complete and work is beginning to wrap up at the Cloverleaf, this is the best timing for these repairs to occur.”

In an effort to reduce the overall cost of bridge structures, the City focuses on preservation in order to protect the financial investment as well as maximize the sustainability of the infrastructure. The City’s Bridge Strategy moving forward includes the rehabilitation of at least two bridge/overpass structures per year. The Ruth Street overpass is slated for rehabilitation in 2016.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

NEW

CIRCLE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT 1ST AVE
(Manhole inspections)
1^st Ave SB will be closed as well, use 42^nd A St. for access
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 2, 10:00 a.m.

22ND ST W WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CENTRE LANES/EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE U N TO AVE T N
(Manhole inspections)
Start: September 2, 1:15 p.m. End: September 2, 3:15 p.m.

22ND ST W WB/EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED APPROACHING AVE C
(Manhole inspections)
22^nd St W EB median lane open
Start: September 2, 3:15 p.m. End: September 2, 4:15 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR S WB/EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED ON CIRCLE DR S BRIDGE
(Bridge deck sealing)
Start: September 2, 9:00 p.m. End: September 3, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED APPROACHING CIRCLE DR N BRIDGE
(Bridge deck sealing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 p.m. End: September 2, 5:00 a.m.

HIGHWAY 11/CIRCLE DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED UNDER THE HWY 16 OVERPASS
(Girder repair)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: September 5, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST EB LANES CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Labour Day on Monday, September 7, 2015:

City Hall will be closed.

Parking meters will not require payment.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.

Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public.

Saskatoon Landfill will be open with regular summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The West Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The East Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage, Recycling and Leaves & Grass collection will take place as scheduled.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed.

The Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Saskatoon Transit will operate with regular Sunday/Holiday Service.

Access Transit will operate with regular Holiday Service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures.  Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Centre will be closed.

Transit Customer Service phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Open during regular hours (Zoo: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Park: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Golf Courses (Holiday Park, Silverwood, Wildwood)
Open during regular hours (dawn to dusk)

Cosmo Civic Centre
CLOSED

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
CLOSED

Lakewood Civic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Lawson Civic Centre
Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED

Saskatoon Field House
Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED
Holiday Spin & Sculpt Class 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Shaw Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes CANCELLED

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/dropinonline.  For more information on operating hours and programs, please contact the leisure centres or facilities.

NEW

HIGHWAY 11/CIRCLE DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED UNDER THE HWY 16 OVERPASS
(Girder repair)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: September 5, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED APPROACHING CIRCLE DR N BRIDGE
(Bridge deck sealing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 p.m. End: September 2, 5:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST EB LANES CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.