News Releases

Spring is officially here and with that, the City of Saskatoon’s winter road maintenance season is coming to a close. Crews worked 24/7 sanding, salting, grading, plowing and removing snow from streets to keep drivers moving. Crews will continue to respond if it snows in the coming weeks.

“We are always at the mercy of Mother Nature, but with the introduction of new pilot programs, improved services and greater efficiencies, our high-traffic roads have been in the best winter condition we’ve seen,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “Crews have dealt with six snow events this winter, where more than 5 cm of snow fell, and on each occasion priority streets were graded, at least once well within the targeted timeframe for each event.”

The City’s goal is to grade Priority 1 streets within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends, Priority 2 streets within 36 hours, and Priority 3 streets within 72 hours. This past winter, as a result of new maintenance area configuration, the average was 65 hours for grading all priority streets after a snow event.

Winter road maintenance results:

• More than 13,000 tandem truckloads of snow removed
• More than 25,000 tonnes of sand applied
• More than 120 tonnes of cold mix asphalt used to temporarily repair potholes
• 52 water main breaks were repaired restoring services for residents

New Programs:

The City initiated two pilot programs this winter to improve driving conditions on high-traffic roads.

The new de-icing product called Caliber M1000 was tested to soften and break the ice bond on priority streets; it was used at temperatures below -14 where salt is no longer effective. This reduced the amount of sand needed to be applied by 28% resulting in approximately $250,000 in savings. This will also result in less overall material to clean up as part of the spring street sweeping program.

Initial results of the pre-wetting pilot program, where sand is sprayed with a liquid chemical de-icer before being applied to the road, were also positive. The wet heavy sand adheres better to the road and provides enhanced traction for vehicles.

Other improvements:

• The 18-vehicle snow train was activated to remove collected snow along the edges of Circle Drive, bridges and overpasses. This was performed after every snow event and kept the barriers and guardrails clear of snow build up.
• Snow piles were removed from school zones more frequently and removal areas were expanded to reduce traffic congestion and enhance student safety at student pick-up and drop-off locations.  As a further measure of student safety awareness these operations were performed during off school hours at night and weekends.
• The use of private contractors for snow grading was expanded to be more efficient and cost-effective.  Along with an improved deployment of City crews these were directly applicable to the time savings for meeting 72 hour goal.
• An additional snow storage site was added in the southeast quadrant of the city to increase the number of sites to four.  All sites were open to the public and snow hauling contractors. 
• Snow grading was enhanced in the Business Improvement Districts and industrial areas improving access to businesses.

“This is just the start of better winter roads in Saskatoon. We will continue to build on this year’s progress into the future,” says Hyde. “While our focus shifts towards our spring street sweeping and pothole patching programs, we are mindful that the last snowfall typically occurs in April and has been known to happen as late as May. Crews will be ready for whatever comes our way.”

For more information about the City’s Snow & Ice programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay tuned for street sweeping and pothole patching updates and schedules at saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

The City of Saskatoon (City) reminds residents that the provincial ban on pruning elm trees will be in effect between April 1 and August 31, 2015.

The ban ensures that elm bark beetles, which transmit dutch elm disease (DED), are not attracted to the freshly pruned trees when these beetles are most active.  Anyone wishing to prune elm trees during the ban must obtain a permit.  Please call City of Saskatoon Parks Division at 306-975-3300 for information.

DED was first discovered in Saskatchewan in 1981 and continues to be found in more areas of the province every year.  DED is caused by a fungus that clogs the tree’s water conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die, usually within one or two seasons.  Early symptoms of the disease usually appear by July when the leaves on one or more branches wilt, curl, turn yellow, and then die.

The only effective management strategy for the elm bark beetle is to deprive it of its breeding habitat.  This involves keeping elm trees healthy by removing potential breeding material in trees and eliminating detached elm wood.  For this reason, it is necessary to dispose, or render un-inhabitable, elm stumps and remove any fallen branches or any wood from a fallen elm tree.  Under no circumstances should elm wood be left lying around, stored for firewood, or other purposes.

Elm removal can occur at any time of the year; however, the entire tree must be removed and all waste elm be transported to the nearest approved landfill site in the municipality where the elm was removed.  In Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Landfill is the only site approved for elm tree disposal.

It is estimated that Saskatoon’s 25,000 boulevard and park elm trees are worth approximately $45 million, and many more are located on private property.  While Saskatoon does not have the disease, effective DED management requires everyones support.  Anyone suspecting an elm is unhealthy is asked to please contact the City at 306-975-2890.

For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca/trees.

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.

The City of Saskatoon (City) invites the public to an open house to view and comment on the proposed North Sector Plan, which will include Saskatoon’s future north industrial growth and employment area.

 The North Sector Plan will create a vision to facilitate economic development opportunities by expanding the north industrial growth and employment area.  In the future, the area will generate new employment possibilities; accommodate fully-serviced industrial, commercial, and business park developments; and potentially include provision for new recreation facilities.

OPEN HOUSE:  North Sector Plan
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – “Come and Go”
Bishop James Mahoney High School (Cafeteria)
231 Primrose Drive

Presentation panels illustrating the proposed North Sector Plan vision will be shown and civic staff will be available to answer questions.  Feedback from the open house will be collected and considered in the development of the final North Sector Plan.

If you are unable to attend the open house, please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review meeting information after the open house.  If you have questions or wish to provide comments, please call the City’s Planning and Development Division at 306‑975-7946 or email city.planning@saskatoon.ca.

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.

8.3.2 New Pilot Programs Improve Ice Management Results

 City Council received the report as information.

 Additional Information:

*A new de-icing product was tested this winter to soften ice build-up on priority streets when salting is no longer effective.

*Sand volumes were reduced by 45% on roads treated with the mixture compared to the previous de-icing product.

*It is estimated $131,464 was saved over a two-month test period.

8.3.4 College Drive Classification

 City Council changed the classification of College Drive, between the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks and the city limits, to an Urban Expressway.

 Additional Information:

*The Brighton neighbourhood Traffic Impact Analyses identified increased traffic demands resulting from higher density development in the Holmwood Sector.

*The reclassification will facilitate a tight-urban diamond interchange at McOrmond Drive.  It will provide the ability to improve connectivity into the Brighton neighbourhood by adding additional access points along College Drive.

*The Administration is proceeding with the final design of the tight urban diamond interchange. Tender of the project will occur within the next few months.  When construction begins, the speed limit will need to be reduced for construction purposes; this is not expected until early 2016.

*The Administration is also proceeding with more detailed evaluation for the design of an additional access point into Brighton. Following the direction of City Council, the Administration will report back on whether it needs to be an at-grade signalized intersection or a grade separation (overpass).  A report is planned for the end of the year.

8.5.9 Nutana Slope Failure Options

*City Council adopted Option A as outlined in the report from Executive Committee on March 16.

*Council also resolved to ensure that the existing mediation process is available to facilitate the scope of the issue should the affected property owners require the process and that this be through an independent mediator.

 Additional Information:

*The City will continue to address public safety as it has in the past, which is through regular monitoring and reporting to residents (Option A).

*Option A does not include financial participation by the City.  Option A is consistent with the City’s past practice of not intervening on private property.

9.4.1 University Bridge Rehabilitation Transportation Planning

City Council received the report which provides information regarding the transportation planning completed in support of the rehabilitation of the University Bridge Project planned for the summer of 2015.

Additional Information:

*The report outlines anticipated changes in traffic patterns at various intersections throughout the city. Travel time comparisons between normal bridge operations and full closure are included in the report.

*Authorized vehicles will be allowed to use one lane of the bridge and access protocol has been developed to coordinate these operations.

9.10.1 Bicycle Program Update

*City Council approved installation of protected bike lanes on 23^rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) as a demonstration in 2015.

*City Council also approved the installation of curb parking on the north side of 24^th Street between Ontario Avenue and Idylwyld Drive.

*City council directed protected bike lanes be installed on 4^th Avenue (from 19^th Street to 24^th Street) as a demonstration project in 2016.

 Additional Information:

*Extensive engagement with stakeholders and the public was undertaken, which resulted in general support for the project and the identification of key issues.

*The demonstration period will be a minimum of 18 months in duration with the 23rd Street project implemented in 2015, and the 4th Avenue project added in 2016.

9.11.2 Remai Modern Business Plan

*City Council received the Remai Modern Business Plan: 2015 to 2019 as information; and

*City Council decided the approval and phased implementation of The Remai Modern Business Plan:  2015 to 2019 occur on an annual basis through the Corporate Business Plan and Budget review process.

 Additional Information:

*In March of 2014, MNP was engaged by Remai Modern to work with staff to complete a revision and update of its business plan to ensure valid and updated financial and operating assumptions, which incorporate the  Gallery’s brand and vision.

*The Gallery will be recognized as one of the top art galleries in Canada and will be a major driver of the Saskatoon tourism market and as such a catalyst for economic growth in the city.

-30-

NEW

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING IDYLWYLD DR N NB OFF RAMP
(Electronic work)
Start: March 25, 9:00 a.m. End: March 25, 12:00 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.