News Releases

Newly proposed waste collection routes will improve service, create cost savings, and reduce emissions for the collection of black garbage carts as well as green leaves and grass carts.

This is the conclusion of an update on the Efficient Waste System Project carried at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services on September 14, 2015.

“Tracking and reporting will be improved through the use of identification tags on carts, which will be scanned when carts are emptied to verify the collection in real time,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “Carts that are unable to be collected will be logged through photos taken by the truck operators.”

In 2014, 95% of the 70,000 collection carts in service received identification tags. City Administration is currently developing a plan to efficiently complete tag installation and replacement, which may include asking residents to put carts at the curb on a specific date.

“New routes and collection days, to be launched January 2016, are optimized to be more efficient by being as short and direct as possible with reduced back-tracking for trucks.”

The new system will be capable of monitoring a number of performance metrics that will improve the reliability and efficiency of City services, reduce fuel use, and reduce emissions from our fleet. Information is instantly relayed to the customer service centre to answer any inquiries.

Billing and collections for commercial garbage pick-up will also be improved through this system with onboard computers installed for operators to log all tips of commercial bins.

Residents will receive more information on the new schedules when they receive their 2016 Collection Calendar.

Increased efficiency of waste collection supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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

EXPECT DELAYS: 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 4, 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.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT HWY 11/16 CLOVERLEAF OVERPASS
(Deck repairs)
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: September 18, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT VALLEY RD OVERPASS
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: September 15, 9:00 a.m. End: September 15, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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.

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.

A five-year transit plan presented today to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation stresses some important changes to Saskatoon Transit. Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald says the plan is intended to lay out how Saskatoon Transit will prepare for the implementation of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million.

“Saskatoon Transit is about to see a number of significant developments to its operations in the coming years, including the eventual introduction of services like Bus Rapid Transit,” says McDonald. “In order to be ready for these big changes, we need to start putting some things in place today that will help set the stage for the next chapter of bus service in Saskatoon.”

The changes adopted by the Committee today include:

• Enhanced customer service and community engagement capacities that will support positive perceptions of Transit as well as increased ridership;
• The introduction of staged changes, as well as the gathering of metrics, to support the future implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT);
• Relocating Saskatoon Transit’s location to provide adequate space for the growing fleet as well as the necessary resources to support Transit services;
• The development of a Control Centre that will monitor Transit systems and allow instant identification of issues and direct changes due to traffic congestion or detours;
• A funding model that would support the expansion and transition to a modern and fully accessible fleet by 2018; and
• Increased investments in staff training and professional development so that Transit employees feel fully supported in their roles.

“We’re working to reach out to existing riders as well as reach new ones through our expanded customer service and engagement activities,” says McDonald. “In addition to the changes proposed in our five year vision, we’re getting out in communities right away to let people know Transit is changing and we deserve a second look.”

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit transit.saskatoon.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The City of Saskatoon will be conducting its annual Taxi inspections starting the week of September 14, 2015 (Monday –Friday), weather permitting.

The Taxi inspections will take place on 11th Street West near the intersection of Highway 7.

Drivers are reminded to slow down and watch for signs as a 30km/hr reduced speed zone will be in effect for 11th Street West.

Know before you go! Plan your route 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.

NEW

EXPECT DELAYS: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST W & 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 4, 6:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer Lining)
2-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: September 14, 8:00 a.m. End: September 14, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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.

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.

NEW

BROADWAY AVE CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO 8TH ST E
(Broadway street fair)
Start: September 12, 5:30 a.m. End: September 12, 7:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE
(Asphalt repair)
Start: September 12, 7:00 a.m. End: September 12, 12:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE B N TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Expansion joint repair)
Start: September 12, 9:00 a.m. End: September 12, 1:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE TO CYNTHIA ST EB CLOSED
(Pedestrian ramp installation)
Start: September 12, 9:00 a.m. End: September 12, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST W TO 20TH ST W
(Pole knockdowns)
Start: September 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 13, 10:30 a.m.

25TH STREET CLOSED BETWEEN 6TH AVE & UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Road resurfacing)
Access to University Bridge EB closed. Access to University Bridge WB maintained, but traffic must exit onto Spadina Cres
Start: September 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 13, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING PRESTON AVE
(Pedestrian ramp installation)
Start: September 13, 12:00 p.m. End: September 13, 1:30 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 35TH ST W TO 37TH ST W
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 13, 10:30 p.m. End: September 13, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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.

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.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2015, road resurfacing work will be carried out on 25th Street at the intersection of Spadina Crescent and the University Bridge. The work is expected to last one day and is weather permitting.

The following road restrictions will be in place:

• 25th Street eastbound will be closed between 6th Avenue and the University Bridge. Access to University Bridge eastbound will be closed.
• 25th Street westbound will be closed between Spadina Crescent and 6th Avenue. Access to University Bridge westbound will maintained, but traffic must exit onto Spadina Crescent.

The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out.

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.

The City of Saskatoon has invested in a new objective sidewalk rating system which will provide data on the condition of all city sidewalks and steer future preservation, rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

“This is the first time in the City’s history that we will have access to a snapshot of our entire sidewalk infrastructure via an objective, technology-based assessment system,” says Rob Frank, Manager of Asset Preservation for Major Projects. “An increase in funding and an expanded commitment to sidewalks has allowed us to make this critical investment.”

This year, the City’s funding for sidewalk repairs and preservation increased to $2.1 million, from $300,000 just four years ago. A further funding increase to $2.7 million is expected in 2016. These investments will enable the City to make significant improvements to the city-wide sidewalk infrastructure.

Currently, sidewalk preservation treatments are completed on a priority basis. Sidewalks adjacent to roadway surface treatment locations are completed first, in order to rejuvenate the street corridors as a whole. The three main types of repair and maintenance include replacing severely deteriorated sidewalks and curbs, saw-cutting off trip ledges, and crack-filling cracked concrete. In addition, City crews inspect and repair hundreds of reported sidewalk locations year-round to reduce the risk of tripping and injuries from severe cracks, dips and exposed tree roots.

The City currently has an inventory of 1,932 km of sidewalk and 2,280 km of curbs. For the 2015 construction season, the following work is planned:

• 17.8 km of crack-filling
• 6.3 km of curb replacement
• 5.4 km of full sidewalk panel replacement
• 1.7 km of trip ledge repairs

“When the data has been fully collected, we’ll be able to run analysis over the winter,” says Frank. “We expect to be in a good position to present some new options for sidewalk rehabilitation and maintenance in time for the 2016 construction season.”

Data collection is completed via raters that walk the city’s sidewalk infrastructure while inputting data on tablets according to pre-determined, objective criteria set out by City engineers. The budget set to collect the baseline data of the entire city is $350,000. The result of the new rating system will be the development of a cost-effective and proactive approach to city-wide sidewalk rehabilitation and maintenance programs.

A complete overview on sidewalk treatment can be found at saskatoon.ca/sidewalks. 

As part of the City of Saskatoon’s bridge maintenance program, crews will begin repairs to the Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street overpass this Monday, September 14. The work is expected to last approximately five weeks, weather permitting.

The project was designed to minimize the impact to drivers and to ensure traffic continues to move on and under the overpass. The work will be carried out in two phases:

Phase 1 Concrete Repairs – approximately 2-3 weeks (24-hour restrictions)

• Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street southbound curb (outside) lane will be closed
• 1st Avenue under Idylwyld Drive southbound curb (outside) lane will be closed

Phase 2 Expansion joint seal replacements – approximately 2 weeks (night restrictions only, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)

• Alternating full closures of one of the following:
  • Idylwyld Drive northbound over 19th Street
  • Idylwyld Drive southbound over 19th Street
  • 1st Avenue northbound ramp over 19th Street

Access to Sid Buckwold Bridge will be maintained at all times, however, drivers should expect delays.

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.

NEW

4TH AVE S SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(S.I.I.T. staff & student BBQ)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: September 11, 2:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB/SB LANES CLOSED FROM ARLINGTON AVE TO JARVIS DR
(Sanitary sewer connection repair)
Start: September 11, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Jersey barrier removal)
Central Ave NB centre left turn lane closed at Attridge Dr
Start: September 11, 6:00 p.m. End: September 12, 9:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR W NB & SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM CLANCY DR TO LAURIER DR
(Installation of permanent pavement markings)
Start: September 11, 7:00 p.m. End: September 12, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 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.

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.