News Releases

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce the University Bridge has reopened to vehicle traffic four weeks ahead of schedule.

“We are extremely pleased to have traffic moving on the University Bridge sooner than expected,” says Rob Frank, Manager of Asset Preservation. “The near perfect weather and the fact that we encountered no major issues allowed us to accelerate our schedule and move ahead of where we expected to be at this point in the project.”

While more work on the bridge will be undertaken this summer, the City’s priority has been to reopen the bridge to traffic as soon as possible. Some lane restrictions during off peak hours will still be required for finishing touches such as concrete sealing and permanent lane markings. Rehabilitation work will also continue under the bridge.

All Saskatoon Transit routes will now return to normal with the weekend #200 shuttle that ran between the University of Saskatchewan and Downtown Terminal now suspended. Traffic signals that were retimed to allow for more efficient commutes along alternative routes will also return to normal.

Rehabilitation work completed on the bridge included:

• Removal and disposal of asphalt, waterproofing membrane, and top 10 mm of deck concrete
• Removal and replacement of pier deck joints
• Repair of partial depth deck and abutment (substructure at the ends of a bridge whereon the superstructure rests or contacts)
• Strengthening of column and deck
• Removal, repainting, and reinstallation of the pedestrian handrail
• Installation of concrete overlay to strengthen deck and provide smooth driving surface
• Sealing of concrete arches and abutments

The University Bridge will not require another full closure for rehabilitation on the concrete deck for approximately 25 years, however, the City may need to complete a substructure rehabilitation on the bridge's arches and piers in 2021. The City is working with the University of Saskatchewan, Ch2m Hill Inc. and Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure in order to confirm the timing and type of repairs needed.

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

“We thank residents for adapting and being able to reroute their commutes to accommodate this necessary rehabilitation work,” says Frank. “The work will ensure the iconic, 100 year old bridge continues to serve commuters for many years to come.”

For more information visit saskatoon.ca/UniversityBridge.

The City of Saskatoon will be reopening the University Bridge to traffic tomorrow (August 4). The bridge was closed to regular traffic, maintaining one lane for emergency vehicles, on May 3 in order to undertake a complete deck replacement.

The bridge is expected to open tomorrow following the morning commute. Transit Service will continue as scheduled, however, routes that typically use the University Bridge may be rerouted via the Broadway Bridge during the morning commute. Riders planning to take one of these routes should allow for an extra 10 to 15 minutes.

The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work was carried out. For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/UniversityBridge.

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

20TH ST W EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT AVE N S
(Light pole installation)
Start: August 4, 9:00 a.m. End: August 4, 2:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR W TO 33RD ST W
(Street light repair)
Start: August 4, 9:00 a.m. End: August 4, 3:00 p.m.

4TH AVE NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE, SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 19TH ST
(Exhibition parade)
Start: August 4, 10:00 a.m. End: August 4, 11:30 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR W NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CLANCY DR TO 22ND ST W
(Paving)
Ramp to/from 22nd St closed. Access from Laurier Dr or Clancy Dr
Start: August 4, 7:00 p.m. End: August 5, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

NIGHTLY: BROADWAY AVE NB & SB CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 12TH ST E
(Fringe Festival)
Broadway Ave closed to traffic evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., weekends and holiday Monday from Noon – 10:30 p.m.
Start: July 30, 6:00 p.m. End: August 8, 11:00 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.

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 and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

22ND ST W WB CLOSED FROM AVE J N TO AVE K N
(Storm manhole repair)
Start: August 1, 7:00 a.m. End: August 1, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE FROM RUTH ST EXIT TO TAYLOR ST E
(Microsurface banding)
Start: August 1, 9:00 p.m. End: August 2, 7:00 a.m.


ONGOING

NIGHTLY: BROADWAY AVE NB & SB CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 12TH ST E
(Fringe Festival)
Broadway Ave closed to traffic evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., weekends and holiday Monday from Noon – 10:30 p.m.
Start: July 30, 6:00 p.m. End: August 8, 11:00 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.

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 and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon will be conducting sanitary sewer “smoke” testing in the Riversdale neighbourhood on Friday, July 31 to identify possible cracks in the underground pipes. This will be the second test of this process in two weeks, after successful results in preparation for a manhole rehabilitation project mid-month.

A non-toxic liquid smoke product will be vented into the sewer system through a manhole on the 500 block of 20th Street. The smoke, which replicates the properties of invisible sewer gases, will be tracked through the system to identify weak points or small openings where sewage or gas could escape. The area will remain open to pedestrians and drivers during the test.

While the test is being carried out thick, white smoke may be visible exiting from the vent stacks and rooftop drains on buildings, catch basins, manholes, and yard drains tied to the sanitary sewer system, and from any holes or cracks in the contained area.

The smoke itself is an odourless, oil-based product that appears thick and white when activated. It is completely a non-toxic material that has been safely used for testing and simulations for over 20 years.

Testing will begin mid-morning Friday, July 31 and is expected to be complete by mid-afternoon.