News Releases

Another aggressive summer road construction season is coming to a close with $53 million spent maintaining and repairing more roads than ever before. In 2015, the City invested $3 million more than last year, and $20 million more than 2013.

“We have paved approximately 220 lane kilometres of road this construction season, bringing the total over the past two years to 420 lane kilometres, which is roughly the same distance from here to Medicine Hat,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation and Utilities. “The work completed over the past two seasons has made a noticeable improvement in our roadways, and we hope residents are starting to notice a difference.”

Approximately $26.9 million was invested in road and sidewalk rehabilitation this year. A road preservation treatment or rehabilitation was completed at 160 locations across Saskatoon thanks to the efforts of City crews and contract workers. A number of projects were completed at night, which minimizes traffic impacts.

“With the closure of the University Bridge and more construction zones than ever, we spent a great deal of time planning effective ways of completing work,” says Jorgenson. “Minimizing the impact to the public is a huge priority for us, whether that be the scheduling of projects, completing night work where suitable, developing detour plans to maintain traffic flow, or effectively communicating impacts to residents.”

New in 2015 was the introduction of digital data collection methods designed to improve the efficiency and quality of rehabilitation programs. These included an electronic data collection system used to objectively rate sidewalks, in addition to water and sewer inspections completed with new, state-of-the-art digital imaging technology.

Improvements were also made to the Report-a-Pothole application making it easier for residents to identify and report potholes as well as creating efficiencies for crews to locate and repair them.  An estimated 2,845 tonnes of asphalt was used to repair the equivalent of 163,000 potholes, based on an average 12x4 inch hole. 1,565 utility cuts have been permanently repaired.

Approximately 5.4 kilometres of sidewalks were fully replaced, close to 12 kilometres of durable markings applied, and 911 kilometres of lane lines were painted - almost 30 kilometres more than last year.

A curb to curb street sweep was completed in 61 residential neighbourhoods, with approximately 1,520 tandem dump truck loads of debris removed in just six weeks. More than 400 kilometres of gravel back lanes were graded or rehabilitated and 24 kilometres of gravel back lanes reconstructed.

A huge success this year was the early completion of the University Bridge rehabilitation project, allowing this iconic piece of infrastructure to continue to serve commuters for many years to come. Significant rehabilitation was also completed on the Highway 11 & 16 Cloverleaf overpasses.

“Despite the significant progress over the past two years, we know there is still a lot of work to do out there,” says Jorgenson. “We intend to continue on this path to dramatically improve the condition of our city’s road network. We sincerely thank residents for their cooperation and patience which helped to make this 2015 construction season such a success.”

For more information on Fall and Winter road programs go to saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

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.

20^TH STREET WEST STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS NOW COMPLETE

His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison joined Riversdale BID Executive Director, Randy Pshebylo, and the City’s Director of Planning and Development, Alan Wallace today to celebrate the completion of the 20^th Street West Streetscape Improvement Project from Avenues E to H.

“We are all very pleased to see the completion of the 20^th Street Streetscaping Project. The vision for this street was set many years ago, and 20^th Street remains vitally important to the growth and development of the City Centre,” said Wallace. “We hope that 20^th Street continues to thrive and remains a city-wide destination for Saskatoon and region for many decades to come.”

This project is part of the 20^th Street Streetscape Improvement Master Plan (Master Plan) approved by City Council in 1993.  Developed in conjunction with the Riversdale BID and community, the Master Plan called for streetscape improvements along 20^th Street West, from Avenues A to H, with the intent of creating a vibrant and cohesive retail corridor that celebrates the unique character and diverse cultures of the area.  Enhancements from Avenues A to D were completed in the early 2000s.

The improvements to 20^th Street consist of the installation of extended bus bulbs, street corner bulbs, new street trees with Root Growth Systems, tree guards, decorated tree grates, waste receptacles, recycling baskets, street directories, bike racks, paved amenities strip, and a new pedestrian sidewalk.  There is also a new decorated fence from Avenue G to H.

“20^th Street has a rich cultural and commercial past in our community,” said Mayor Atchison.  “The efforts invested here to beautify this important corridor not only benefit the neighbourhood residents and businesses, but all citizens of Saskatoon.”

For more information on Streetscape Improvement Projects, visit:  www.saskatoon.ca/urbandesign, or http://www.riversdale.ca, to learn about the Riversdale neighbourhood.

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.

As financial close on the Parkway and Traffic Bridge project nears, the City and Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) are releasing details on the proposed design of the Traffic Bridge and a tentative construction schedule for the project.

“The new Traffic Bridge will be a four span arrangement, with new reinforced concrete piers constructed around the existing piers within the river,” says Dan Willems, Special Projects Manager with Major Projects. “The new bridge geometry will be similar to the existing bridge, however the bridge will be slightly wider and taller to accommodate wider traffic lanes, wider pathways on both sides, and overhead clearance for emergency vehicles.”

Once the City reaches financial close with GCP later this month, a report outlining the financial details of the proposal will be provided to City Council.

Subject to GCP obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, they hope to start construction on both the Parkway and the Traffic Bridge in late 2015/early 2016. This includes approvals from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, and the Meewasin Valley Authority.

Substantial completion of the project, whereby the bridges would be operational but not 100 per cent complete, remains October 2018. More details regarding the construction schedule will be provided in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and search Bridging to Tomorrow.

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.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 15, 7:00 p.m. End: October 16, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: October 16, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 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)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 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.

October 13, 2015 Committee Meeting

SPC on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services  

7.2.1 2016 Green Cart Program (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The Committee is recommending to City Council at the 2016 Business Plan and Budget Review meeting that the 2016 Green Cart program allow subscribers to include food waste.
*The Committee further resolved that the Administration report to the 2016 Budget meeting with options for funding the expanded program without increasing the fees to users for the 2016 season.

Background
*Subscribers to the current Green Cart program were surveyed in July 2015. The results revealed high satisfaction with the current program with 70% having an interest in including food waste.
*Survey results also indicated that almost 90% of subscribers are satisfied with the frequency of pick-up (biweekly). Program cost is cited as an important consideration.
*The Administration recommends that the 2016 Green Cart program continue with biweekly collection from early May to early November, allowing food waste to be included.
*A rate increase to $70/subscriber is required to make the Green Cart program cost recovery for 6,000 subscribers.
*Education on how to minimize odours generated by the Green Cart program will be developed.

7.2.4 2015 Update to Our Environment: The City of Saskatoon’s Environmental Leadership Report (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background
* The 2015 update to the City of Saskatoon’s ‘Our Environment’ Report is provided in the form of an online reporting tool highlighting the status of 12 selected indicators representing the key components of the state of Saskatoon’s environmental health – air, land, water and waste.
*Key findings include:

• The waste diversion rate for 2014 of 22.5% was relatively unchanged from the 2013 rate of 22.7% and needs improvement to meet the target of 70%.
• The amount of landfilled residential waste per capita is down to 249 kilograms per capita in 2014 from 340 kilograms per capita in 2007.
• The percentage of residents choosing to walk, cycle or take transit to work has been relatively stable between 11.5% and 14.4 % for the past two decades and needs improvement to meet the target of 20%.
• Saskatoon’s air quality has been showing a slow downward trend over the past decade, with the average Air Quality Index ranking as ‘Good’ over the past 5 years, down from the ranking of ‘Excellent’ that it has for the previous 5 years.
• The water quality both upstream and downstream of Saskatoon has consistently ranked as Good in the Water Quality Index since 2005.
• The amount and distribution of new development investment has been added as a baseline indicator and illustrates that investment in development activities are balanced across the city.

7.2.7 Parks Design, Construction, and Maintenance – Civic Service Review (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The report will be forwarded to City Council recommending:

• That the improved efficiencies and effectiveness in delivering the service as outlined in the report be received as information;
• That the Service Level for Parks Pathway Snow Clearing be increased to include snow clearing services to 14 kilometres of Naturalized Park pathways;
• That the Service Level for Shelterbelt/Buffer Strip Maintenance be increased so that a proactive service level that includes mowing, trimming and garbage pick-ups within the shelterbelt areas can be established; and
• That the Administration report on a Park Infrastructure Asset Management Plan including a funding strategy to achieve desired service levels.

Background
*The report provides an overview of the Parks Division Civic Service Review. The review explored opportunities for improvement within the design, construction, and maintenance of civic parks and open spaces. Implementation of these findings will improve service to citizens, increase the efficiency of park design, construction and maintenance, and improve accuracy in budgeting for the Parks Division. Additionally, the report recommended Service Levels for Parks Pathway Snow Clearing and Shelterbelt/Buffer Strip Maintenance.

The City of Saskatoon advises residents that City Hall will close at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 to allow employees the statutory time to vote in the federal election.

The Canada Elections Act requires employers allow employees three consecutive hours to vote.  This year, Saskatchewan’s voting hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., which requires certain civic offices to close at 4:30 p.m.

The City’s seven Leisure Centres, three Municipal Golf Courses, Gordon Howe Campground, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Saskatoon Transit, and Landfill operations will maintain their regular operating hours.

The City apologizes for any inconvenience, and will reopen for business at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.  Online services at www.saskatoon.ca remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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 invites residents to participate in the closing round of public engagement for the Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).

Join the conversation, either in person or online, to provide feedback on the proposed long-term plans and implementation priorities for a new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); redevelopment along major corridors like 8^th Street, 22^nd Street, Preston Avenue, and College Drive; and a new river crossing connecting 33^rd Street to Preston Avenue, combined with dedicated BRT lanes on the University Bridge.

Detailed project information and an online survey will be available at www.growingfwd.ca until Sunday, November 8, 2015.

In addition to online engagement, two public open houses are being held for residents to learn more and provide feedback on the Growth Plan.

Growth Plan Come-and-Go Public Events
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Mayfair United Church, 902 33^rd Street West
4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 22, 2015
Saskatoon Field House, 2020 College Drive
4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Growth Plan Online Survey
October 14 to November 8, 2015
Review the final draft plan and provide feedback online at www.growingfwd.ca.

This will be the fourth and final round of public engagement for the Growth Plan.  Once complete, the Growth Plan will help guide future infrastructure investments and land-use decisions so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.

For more information on the Growth Plan or to sign up for project update notifications, visit www.growingfwd.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.

Woodlawn Cemetery is a landscaped, well-maintained, and mature 94-acre site that is always open for the public.  The City of Saskatoon (City) reminds visitors of the guidelines for gravesite memorials, which are intended to maintain a pleasant environment and respect the final resting place of loved ones.

Only approved monuments or memorials are considered permanent items and are permitted to remain in the cemetery year round.  All other items placed on a gravesite, flowerbed, monument, or concrete foundation are considered temporary and need to be removed weekly.  Flowers and other items are permitted on the gravesite the day of the burial and will be left for seven calendar days.  After this time period, items will be removed.  Please note, the City does not take responsibility for any removed, damaged, or missing items placed in the cemetery by the public.

From May 1 to October 15:
Families may establish a flowerbed at the gravesite (with the exception of Military burials in the “Field of Honour” and flat marker areas) upon approval from the Cemetery Office.  Annual flowers are allowed, provided they do not hang over the edge of the flowerbed or impede maintenance of adjacent gravesites.
Items not allowed within flowerbeds include shrubs, perennials, decorative fencing, rocks, stones, concrete, and breakable or fragile items.
The City assumes no responsibility for the appearance, maintenance, and fall cleanup of approved flowerbeds planted by the public.  If flowerbeds are neglected, they will be removed.

The Cemetery Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays.  All inquiries should be directed to the office at 306-975‑3308.

The City would also like to remind visitors about iCemetery, a free third-party app for mobile devices that can be used for locating loved ones buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.  Search by first and last name, view the burial plot detail, and be guided to the actual location of the plot within the cemetery using GPS data from your mobile phone.

iCemetery is free for download at the Apple App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/app) for iPhone, iPad, and iTouch devices and at Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps) for Android mobile devices.

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 (City) three municipal golf courses (Holiday Park, Silverwood, and Wildwood Golf Courses) are in the process of closing for the season to ensure that maintenance requirements can be completed before winter, and that the courses are in good condition for 2016.  The City would like to thank all patrons for their support during 2015.

The final days of operation at each course are as follows:

Holiday Park Golf Course

• Executive Nine will close Monday, October 19
• Regular course back nine will close Tuesday, October 20
• Regular course front nine will close Monday, October 26

Silverwood Golf Course

• River Nine (formerly known as the back nine) will close Wednesday, October 14
• Lake Nine (formerly known as the front nine) will close Monday, October 19

Wildwood Golf Course

• Will remain open as the weather and course maintenance allows.

The dates above are tentative and dependent on weather conditions.  Golfers are advised to call the golf course to check playing conditions.

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.

NEW

SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(Lighting repairs)
Start: October 14, 9:00 a.m. End: October 14, 12:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE T S
(Concrete work on median)
Start: October 14, 9:00 a.m. End: October 15, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 14, 7:00 p.m. End: October 15, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: October 16, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 16, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 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)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 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.