News Releases

NEW

22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING KENSINGTON BLVD
(New intersection)
Through traffic will be maintained in the median lane
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Junction box replacement)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED ON 8TH STREET OVERPASS
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 28, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST W EB & WB LANE CLOSURES FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO WITNEY AVE N
(Lane line painting)
Nightly lane closures change as needed to paint lanelines
Start: July 27, 7:00 p.m. End: July 28, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR W SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO FAIRMONT DR
(Resurfacing)
Start: July 27, 7:00 p.m. End: July 28, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

21ST ST E EB CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 30, 7:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 31, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the EB lanes.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 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.

NEW SATURDAY

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey barrier installation)
Start: July 25, 9:00 a.m. End: July 25, 3:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 3RD AVE S
(Pets in the Park)
Start: July 25, 10:00 a.m. End: July 26, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST EB OFF RAMP TO CIRCLE DR SB CLOSED
(Resurfacing)
Use Diefenbaker Dr > Fairlight Dr > Fairmont Dr > Clancy Dr
Start: July 25, 6:00 p.m. End: July 26, 6:00 a.m.

NEW SUNDAY

ATTRIDGE DR & CENTRAL AVE INTERSECTION 4-WAY STOP
(Traffic signal replacement)
Start: July 26, 5:45 a.m. End: July 26, 8:15 a.m.

21ST ST E EB CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Concrete work)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 30, 7:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: MILLAR AVE LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM CIRCLE DR E TO 43RD ST E
(Lane marking)
Start: July 26, 7.00 p.m. End: July 27, 6.00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR W SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO FAIRMONT DR
(Resurfacing)
Use Clancy Dr exit
Start: July 26, 6:00 p.m. End: July 27, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the EB overpass.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 31, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the EB lanes.
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: July 31, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 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.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 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.

Today, ten students are celebrating their graduation from the Aboriginal Heavy Equipment Operator and Class 1A License Pre‑employment Training Program at a ceremony at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

“The City of Saskatoon is extremely proud to be a part of this program and help guide people along the path to a career in the skilled trades,” says Chelsey Mack, Acting Director of Human Resources. “This training offers life-changing opportunities for these Aboriginal students, who graduate with skills they can immediately put to use in a number of industries in a Heavy Equipment Operator position.”

The program is the result of a unique partnership initiated by the City of Saskatoon with Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), Saskatoon Tribal Council Inc. (STC), and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT).

This introductory program provides training in:

- The operation of heavy equipment, routine maintenance of machinery and practical field operations of excavating, land clearing, grading and road building as well as safe operating techniques specific      to each machine
- Class 1A
- First Aid/CPR
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Ground Disturbance
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods
- Confined Space Entry
- Defensive Driving

Since 2010, 48 students have graduated from the program with 100 percent of last year’s graduates employed immediately following the program with various companies. The ten students graduating today are now trained and ready to seek employment as heavy equipment operators.  To date, the City of Saskatoon has hired 52 percent of past students.

Ensuring the City’s workforce represents the diversity of Saskatoon's population supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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.

Midway into summer construction season, the equivalent of an estimated 100,000 potholes, based on a 12”x4” size, have been repaired on city streets. Since early April, 1,745 tonnes of hot asphalt has been used on pothole repairs alone – enough to fill 14 backyard swimming pools.

“Residents continue to tell us in our annual survey that road maintenance is their top priority for civic services,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “They also participate in the repair process by calling in or going online to report issues, including the reporting of 2,300 potholes so far this season. We value this timely information because it allows us to map out repairs and to respond to and secure emergency locations quickly.”

Every reported road issue is inspected and rated as soon as possible to determine the urgency and type of repair. Ratings are based on: size, location (driving lane is a higher priority than curb lane), priority class of the street, and how hazardous the pothole is for drivers. Designated priority one and two streets take precedence as these are high-traffic routes that are used by emergency vehicles. Potholes that have the potential for causing damage are considered an emergency and are scheduled for repair as soon as possible.

While sometimes reported as potholes, City crews also pave an average of 20 utility cuts on Saskatoon roads each day following a similar priority for repair. A utility cut is a straight-edged break in the pavement from an excavation to access underground water and sewer pipes. During the cold months, when temperatures reach below zero, hot asphalt for paving isn’t an option and utility cuts from water main breaks or other emergency repairs are maintained with graders until they can be paved.

“Our utility cut patching crews have already repaired 642 locations this season,” says Hyde. “However, with ongoing construction in Saskatoon through summer, it can feel like there’s a new utility cut added to our commute for every one that is repaired. We want to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation during the various phases of repair for both potholes and utility cuts.” 

Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Report-A-Pothole Map to report potholes and to consult the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule both found at saskatoon.ca/BetterRoads. Emergency road repairs can be reported by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

City Council has approved the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan) to provide an overall framework for guiding the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities now and into the future.

The Master Plan, developed through broad public engagement, will replace the 1995 Public Recreation Policy.  It was developed by a diverse team, including consultants and Civic Administration, under the guidance of an internal Project Steering Committee and a Community Feedback Committee with sixteen public representatives from key agencies and sectors in Saskatoon that are involved in and/or impacted by recreation and parks services.

The Master Plan is meant to provide a framework for action regarding recreation and parks, and although focused on the City’s role in service provision, it provides insight and information for the benefit of all related stakeholders.

Included in the Master Plan are 3 overarching goals and 19 intended service outcomes that outline a desired end state that can be achieved through provision of, and participation in, recreation and parks activities.

“Recreation is a cornerstone, not only for healthy individuals, but also for vibrant and complete communities, which contribute to the city’s quality of life, social progress, and economic development,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Community Development. 

The Master Plan identifies recommendations for programming, service delivery and infrastructure, for both the City and the community for the next 5 to 15 years. Major projects identified that are likely to be assessed for consideration in the near future, include, but are not limited to:

1. reinvestment in the City’s existing recreation facilities and parks (i.e. Leisure Centres, play structures, park upgrades, paddling pools, etc.);
2. potential partnerships around the development of indoor ice facilities including leisure ice; and
3. the potential development of a recreation facility.

“The City will begin work on an implementation plan, including short-, medium-, and long-term strategies,” explains Lacroix.  “The Master Plan will be dynamic throughout time; priorities will shift as new information becomes available.  The frameworks and systems outlined in the Master Plan will allow recreation and parks’ stakeholders to adapt as Saskatoon grows and evolves.”

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/recmasterplan for the highlights of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, to view the plan in its entirety, and for more information on implementation.

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.