News Releases

Road construction season is in full swing in Saskatoon and drivers will no doubt encounter some type of restrictions along their route at any time of day.  To keep traffic moving through work zones on high-traffic streets and freeways, the zipper merge is used where possible to ease traffic congestion, reduce collisions and ensure safety of drivers and workers.

“The zipper merge keeps traffic moving in two lanes up to the work zone edge at which point the lanes then take turns merging,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “The City’s roadway coordinators carefully place signage in order to keep traffic moving, while providing a safe environment for workers and safe roadways for drivers.

The use of a zipper merge will reduce the potential for collisions and frustration when one lane is stopped or travelling very slowly and the other lane is travelling faster and unsafe merges occur.

Drivers are currently using a zipper merge on Circle Drive and it will also be in place on Idylwyld Drive during resurfacing over the next few weeks.  Additional locations may be added as traffic control plans are finalized.  Drivers should always follow the signs in place for the specific work zone.

“As drivers approach the “zipper merge ahead” sign and traffic starts to concentrate near the work zone, stay in your current lane up to the “merge here” sign,” Gardiner says.  “Then take turns in "zipper" fashion, alternating with other drivers to safely and smoothly ease into the remaining lane.  Both lanes of drivers must take turns merging.”  A zipper merge works best on a long stretch of road with no cross-streets that require access.

Each work zone signage plan considers factors such as the space required for the work; volume and speed of traffic; volume of pedestrians; access to residences or businesses; and nearby restrictions that may impact traffic flow. This signage may stay in place when work zones may not appear active as roadside hazards may exist or fresh pavement or concrete needs to set.

For more information and a step-by-step video, visit saskatoon.ca and look under “Z” for Zipper Merge.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Have your voice heard!  If you have a passion for dogs and are active in your community (or want to be), the City of Saskatoon (City) is looking for Dog Park Ambassadors.  A Dog Park Ambassador works closely with the City’s Animal Services Coordinator in the education, promotion, and continuous improvement of Dog Parks.

Which areas of Saskatoon are Dog Park Ambassadors needed?
Currently, Saskatoon has six operational Dog Parks and two more under construction, set to open this summer.  Each Dog Park would benefit from a Dog Park Ambassador.  There are currently groups formed for Caswell Hill and Hyde Park Dog Parks.  The City is looking for representatives for the following Dog Parks:
• Avalon - south end of Broadway Avenue;
• Briarwood - south of Wilson's Greenhouse on McOrmond Drive;
• Hampton Village - north on Range Road 3060, near the airport;
• Silverwood - access off Kinnear Avenue or the east end of Adilman Drive;
• Southwest - off Valley Road by the landfill; and
• Sutherland Beach - west of Central Avenue, north of Attridge Drive.

What would I need to do?
1. Get Organized:  Begin with creating a group in your community of like-minded people who are passionate about their dogs, being a responsible pet owner, and about providing services for pets.  Many groups operate social media sites to keep others informed about the happenings in their Dog Parks, but the sky is the limit on how your group functions. 
 
2. Have a “Go-to” Person:  Designate one or two representatives who will be the Ambassador(s) for your group and the primary contact between the group and the City.  This is a great opportunity to meet new people and share ideas with the City and other user groups.  Visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/dogparks for more information. 

3. Take the Next Steps:  Have your designated Ambassador contact the City’s Animal Services at animal.services@saskatoon.ca to ensure your group is represented at the next Dog Park Ambassador meeting. 

How big does the Ambassador Group need to be?
The group can consist of five, twenty, forty, sixty…there is no set limit.  Start with a few individuals and you will be surprised how quickly the group will grow.  Once you have established your group, remember to contact the City’s Animal Services. 

What if I don’t want to be an Ambassador, but would like to join a group that is already established?
Established Groups can be found by searching Facebook using their appropriate name and off-leash recreation area.  For example, search for “Sutherland Beach Off-Leash Recreation Area”.

For more information on the Dog Park Ambassador program or Dog Parks in general, please visitwww.saskatoon.ca/go/dogparks.

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.

For Release: June 18, 2014

Starting today, June 18, 2014, Saskatoon will begin to see improved facilities for Transit customers with the installation of new benches at selected stops throughout the city.

Creative Outdoor Advertising (COA) was awarded the contract in late 2013 and by November 2014 they will have replaced all 150 existing benches to a new, updated and modern design. Over the next 10 years, COA will also be installing 130 new benches at selected transit stops throughout the city. “This contract will move us towards modernizing our street furniture and will provide additional facilities for our customers.  We’re pleased that we are now able to provide comfort for more customers while they are waiting for their bus” says Bob Howe, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

The new Concourse Bench / Recycling Station is esthetically pleasing and will help the City of Saskatoon meet Council’s Strategic goal of Environmental Leadership.  The Concourse Recycling Station features three ports accommodating Paper, Cans and Bottles and Residual Waste.  The waste diversion will help sustain Saskatoon’s landfill.

“We’re excited to now be able to offer recycling facilities.  Our customers have asked us for them and we’re pleased that we can now offer them the service” says Howe.

The contract awarded to Creative Outdoor Advertising will also provide a minimum gross revenue, for Saskatoon Transit, of $324,000 over the 10 year period.

“We have been working with the City of Saskatoon for over 13 years and COA is excited to continue in its long standing partnership with the City of Saskatoon,” says Mr. David Gray, President of Creative Outdoor Advertising. “As a result of our excellence in both product and service, COA has been awarded another 10-year contract.”

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.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, June 17, Circle Drive northbound lanes will be restricted from College Drive to the North Circle Drive Bridge to accommodate two separate projects: installation of durable road markings and roadway paving:

- Circle Drive northbound inside (median) lane closed from the College Drive overpass to the Attridge Drive on ramp.

- Circle Drive northbound curb (outside) & centre lanes closed beginning at the Attridge Drive eastbound off-ramp, with further restrictions on the ramps.

These lanes are expected to reopen by 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18.

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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has once again increased the outflow from the Gardiner Dam. Water flows on the South Saskatchewan River downstream of the Gardiner Dam will increase from 380 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to 900m³/s and the river will rise approximately 1.5m. This latest increase in outflow is a proactive response to rainfall in Alberta and is not expected to cause flooding along the South Saskatchewan River.

The City’s public boat launch is currently open and the increase is not expected to result in its closure.

The Saskatoon Fire Department advises residents to exercise extreme care and caution around the river throughout this period of elevated water levels. 

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.