News Releases

Repainting road markings are a priority for the City in the spring to help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians stay safe on the roads.  Traditional road paint tends to wear off from winter snow grading, salting and sanding, as well as repeated vehicle traffic.  This year, we are expanding our use of durable road markings, which lasts much longer.

Durable road markings have now been applied to portions of 1st Avenue, Central Avenue, Circle Drive and Preston Avenue, bringing the first phase to an end.  The contractor will return mid-June to begin the next round which includes portions of Preston Avenue, Cumberland Avenue, 51st Street and McOrmond Drive.

Centre lines are now 29 per cent complete; and crosswalk painting is 36 per cent complete.  This past week we painted crosswalks in Willowgrove, Varsity View and Riversdale.

The cost of the annual road painting program is $800,000 per year. In 2014, an additional $500,000 will be spent on durable markings that can last between 7 and 10 years.  Line painting is just one aspect of the City of Saskatoon’s Building Better Roads effort where we are investing nearly $50 million into road-related maintenance, rehabilitation and construction.

City crews paint road markings two to three times each year:

- Lane lines, edge lines and centre lines are painted three times a year,
- Crosswalks are painted at least twice a year, and
- Sharrows, chevrons and parking stall lines are painted once a year.

Road markings are re-painted if they have been removed for repairs or construction.  To minimize traffic disruptions and for the safety of workers, high-traffic streets are painted in the evening. 

“Safety of our staff and others on the road is a key focus for us this construction season,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation.  “With so much extra work happening on the roads this year, we ask everyone approaching work zones or passing painting vehicles to slow down, pay attention and give workers the room they need to get the job done. If everyone makes safety a priority, we will be able to work through the 2014 construction season safely and successfully.”

Construction season is underway!  For the latest updates and schedules on everything from road repairs and restrictions to street sweeping, go to saskatoon.ca and click on “Building Better Roads”.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #BetterRoadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook. 

CY-149

Elk Point is a new proposed residential neighbourhood consisting of 572 acres, and is the second neighbourhood to be developed in the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Blairmore Sector. The proposed neighbourhood is bound on the west by Neault Road, on the north by Claypool Drive, and on the south by 33rd Street West.  It is bound on the southeast by the Dundonald neighbourhood and on the east by the Hampton Village neighbourhood.

The design of the Elk Point neighbourhood has been undertaken with the aim of creating a walkable, well-connected, mixed-use neighbourhood. The design includes a central corridor, roadway and pedestrian network, village centre and village square, and open spaces to create a liveable and vital neighbourhood. The neighbourhood will accommodate a mix of housing options while promoting the use of all modes of transportation.  Upon completion, the neighbourhood will be home to approximately 10,062 residents.

The public is invited to attend a come and go open house to view the proposed Elk Point Neighbourhood Concept Plan.  The open house will provide an opportunity to view the proposal and ask questions to City staff and development partners.

Elk Point Neighbourhood Concept Plan Open House
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
5 - 8 p.m. (come and go)
Hampton Village Free Methodist Church (Multi-Purpose Room)
2930 McClocklin Road

Can’t make the open house?  Please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca/discussions to view details of the concept plan and to share your thoughts. 

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.

- 30 -

Saskatoon’s Henk Ruys Soccer Centre has been designated as an Emergency Evacuation Site to shelter approximately 140 evacuees from Stanley Mission First Nation northeast of La Ronge due to smoke from a forest fire in that area.  The evacuees were moved from their community today and are expected to arrive in Saskatoon Thursday evening.
“The City of Saskatoon is ready and will do whatever is necessary to make the evacuees’ stay in Saskatoon as comfortable as possible,” says Cary Humphrey, Director of Recreation & Sport.  “The City anticipates events such as this during forest fire season and for many years has kept evacuations at the forefront of our emergency planning.”

The City of Saskatoon is working with the Canadian Red Cross (lead agency), Ministry of Social Services, Saskatoon Health Region, Henk Ruys Soccer Centre, and Saskatoon Police to mobilize resources in preparation for the evacuees. 
The Stanley Mission First Nation is approximately 460 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon near La Ronge.
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.

- 30 -

As the City continues to monitor the increasing flow of the South Saskatchewan River, because of safety concerns the Fire Department recommends the closure today of the public boat launch until further notice.

The Water Security Agency (WSA) increased outflows from 800 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to 1000 m³/s. This has caused the already heightened water level on the South Saskatchewan River downstream of Gardiner Dam to rise between 25cm to 40 cm.  It’s anticipated that the higher river flows will remain in place for the remainder of May and into June.

“As a result of these conditions, the Fire Department strongly discourages activity on or near the river while the flow rate remains strong,” Assistant Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says.  “When the river is like this, it creates significant safety hazards for people and pets on the river – or along its banks – and for firefighters who may have to get in the river for a rescue.  We know the weekend is expected to be hot, however we’re asking folks to please use common sense, respect nature and stay back from the fast flowing water of the South Saskatchewan.”

This increase in outflow is a proactive release in response to the above normal snowpack in the mountains, above average lake level for this time of year and recent rainfall events in Alberta. No out-of-bank flooding is expected to occur as a result of this operation.

With this planned release and forecasted inflow over the next two weeks, WSA expects to lower the Lake Diefenbaker reservoir to provide additional flood storage in the event of above normal rainfall in late May and June.

The 10-day forecast for stream flows and any other relevant updates will be posted to the WSA’s website at wsask.ca.

In an emergency, call 9-1-1.

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.

22ND STREET & IDYLWYLD DRIVE INTERSECTION, MAY 21

Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, the 22nd Street eastbound curb (outside) lane will be closed approaching Idylwyld Drive. Idylwyld Drive southbound traffic will be limited to three lanes while crews work on manholes.

The work is expected to last 4 hours with the road expected to reopen at 10:00 p.m. 

SPADINA CRESCENT SOUTHBOUND, MAY 22

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2014, the southbound lanes of Spadina Crescent will be closed between 33rd Street East and Queen Street while crews repair a catch basin. Access to local traffic will be maintained.

The road is expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

UPDATE: 1ST AVENUE NORTH & CIRCLE DRIVE, MAY 20-24

As crews continue to pave sections of 1st Avenue North and Circle Drive there have been some revisions to the timeline and the work will now be completed earlier than expected. The following restrictions will now be in place:

Tuesday, May 20 – Saturday, May 24
- Circle Drive eastbound curb (outside) lane will be closed just east of 1st Avenue North.

Tuesday, May 20 – Saturday, May 24 *This updates information earlier released
- 1st Avenue North northbound lanes between 40th Street East and Circle Drive will be closed. Access to local traffic will be maintained.

Starting 7:00 a.m. Saturday, May 24 *This updates information earlier released
- Circle Drive eastbound curb (outside) and center lane will be closed at the intersection of 1st Avenue North. This work is expected to last one day.

All restrictions are expected to be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

*Project timelines are subject to last minute changes, for the most up-to-date information: 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.