News Releases

Come celebrate with Phoenix, the Red Panda, on Saturday, September 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo and the Saskatoon Zoo Society welcomes everyone to enjoy International Red Panda Day celebration events, free with the purchase of regular Zoo admission.

Schedule of Events (PotashCorp Ark Red Panda Exhibit; registration is not required):
10:30 a.m. - Meet as a group and visit Phoenix
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Apollo Jump and Face Painting
10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Kids, become a Red Panda Ranger!
10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Test your knowledge of Red Pandas for a chance to win a Red Panda prize pack!

Donations will be accepted at the face painting station for the Red Panda Network’s initiatives towards habitat conservation.  Also, for every $40 of Adopt-a-Critters purchased during Red Panda Week (September 15 to 21), $5 will be donated.

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’s new red-light camera system is now fully operational and drivers can now view their violations online.

“Prior to the implementation of this system, those drivers wishing to view footage of their infraction needed to set up an appointment at City Hall,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “With this new system, a violation notice will now include a notice number and a Personal Identification Number that provides online access to photos and video of the infraction.”

The City began using red-light cameras in 2005; since then on average there has been a 9 per cent reduction in injury and fatality rates and a 12 per cent reduction in right-angle collisions (the most severe type). At the Preston Avenue and 8th Street intersection in particular, injury and fatality rates have reduced by 25 per cent and right-angle collisions by 45 per cent.

“We are committed to traffic safety, the overall goal of this program is to reduce collisions and achieve zero infractions,” says Gardiner.  “All revenue generated through the red-light camera program goes into our traffic safety reserve, making our roads safer for everyone in Saskatoon.”

The City would also like to remind residents that by law, drivers must come to a complete stop before making a right turn on a red light.

“We have had a significant number of calls from people complaining about receiving a violation notice for making a right turn on a red light without stopping first,” says Gardiner. “This allows the driver to have a clear picture of on-coming traffic and ensure there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk before proceeding.”

Red-light safety cameras are located at the following intersections:

- Preston Avenue and 8th Street
- Warman Road and 51st Street
- Avenue C and Circle Drive
- 33rd Street and Idylwyld Drive (New November 2013)

Drivers who disobey the traffic signal receive a violation notice and a fine of $230.

For more information go to Saskatoon.ca and click on “R” for Red Light Cameras.

 

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon initiative has posted a “Spotlight On” blog to www.growingfwd.ca (look under Shaping Growth) that focuses on the City’s sustainable growth strategies and the development of a long-term plan to guide redevelopment along Saskatoon’s major corridors. 
“With Saskatoon’s population expected to double over the next 30 to 40 years, there are significant opportunities to shape how our city grows,” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development. “Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon will examine our potential for growth near major corridors like 8th Street, Preston Avenue, Idylwyld Drive, and 22nd Street.”
The growth blog post is part of Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon’s “Spotlight On” Information Series to keep residents informed and engaged on the development of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan). 
To view “Spotlight On” blog posts or to sign up for project update notifications, please visit www.growingfwd.ca.
Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is a public planning initiative to help guide Saskatoon’s growth to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.  A major outcome of this initiative will be a Growth Plan to Half a Million that will guide future civic investments in transit, core area bridges, development near major corridors, employment areas, active transportation, and underground infrastructure so residents will have more choices for how they live, work, and move around the city as Saskatoon grows.
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon process.  Watch for more public engagement opportunities coming in Fall 2014. 
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.

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The City of Saskatoon will be hosting Fall Freestyle, the annual skateboard event, on Saturday, September 20, 2014.  This event will feature live DJ music, prizes, pizza, and skateboard demonstrations.

Kids, families, and youth of all ages are welcome to attend this FREE event, which takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lion’s Skate Park in Victoria Park (next to Riversdale Pool at 822 Avenue H South).  Remember to bring and wear your helmet and safety gear.

The event will also feature an opportunity to provide feedback to the Recreation and Parks Master Plan team on the future of skateboarding in Saskatoon.  For more information, please call 306-975-3378.

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.

20TH ST & AVE O INTERSECTION FOUR-WAY STOP
(Traffic signal maintenance)
Start: September 17, 9:00 a.m. End: September 17, 1:00 p.m.
EXTENDED: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.
ONGOING
20TH ST W EB & WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE E S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 16, 9:00 a.m. End: September 23, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water main lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.