News Releases

NEW SATURDAY

23RD ST & 3RD AVE INTERSECTION CLOSED
(Catch Basin Repair)
Start: May 23, 7:00 a.m. End: May 23, 3:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

3RD AVE N CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Storm main repair)
Start: May 24, 7:00 a.m. End: May 26, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Roadwork)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 27, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water Main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: May 26, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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 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 Tuesday, May 26, the City of Saskatoon will begin a road resurfacing project on Wanuskewin Road northbound and Warman Road in both directions between Primrose Drive and Marquis Drive. The multi-phased project is expected to last four weeks, weather permitting.

“In order to minimize disruption to traffic, extensive planning has gone into developing a 14 phase detour plan that allows traffic to continue moving on this high-traffic route – some of the work will also be done at night only,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “Once work is complete, drivers will experience a much smoother commute with a brand new asphalt surface.”

The first phase of the work will begin on Wanuskewin Road northbound. For the comfort of nearby residents, crews will work between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in accordance with The Noise Bylaw. Once this work is complete, resurfacing of the Warman Road section will begin. To minimize delays to drivers, this resurfacing work will be done at night only. Additionally, the most impactful work – around the 51st Street intersection – will be carried out on the weekend.

“This work is part of a multi-year plan to improve the high traffic routes between the city’s core and north end,” says Anger. “Last year, the City’s coordinated approach saw resurfacing work completed on Millar Avenue and 51st Street, providing north end commuters with a good alternate route for the duration of this project.”

A work zone will be in place for the duration of the project with detour reconfigurations that allow for maximum traffic accommodation. Even when workers are not present, barriers will stay in place where there are roadside hazards or where fresh pavement or concrete needs to set, to ensure the safety of drivers. Obeying signs and respecting work zones will keep everyone safe as well as allow crews to focus on completing the work quickly and efficiently.

Drivers are encouraged to consider rerouting their commute while work is underway. To help reduce congestion, drivers may consider the following:

• Silverwood residents detour via Spadina Crescent or Russell Road
• North end workers detour via Millar Avenue or Faithfull Avenue
• Carpool
• Saskatoon Transit

The City thanks everyone for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. For more information and a list of the City’s 2015 construction projects visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

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.

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It is an annual issue for the city’s urban forest.  Tent caterpillars, cankerworms, and leafrollers are feeding on trees in some areas in the city.  The trees may experience heavy defoliation in some cases, but unless there are underlying issues, the trees will recover and produce new foliage.

 Forest tent caterpillars attack a wide variety of deciduous trees, especially green ash.  The numbers of forest tent caterpillars are high this year especially in areas of the city where green ash is the most common street tree.  Caterpillars can be sprayed with a high pressure hose and washed off of the tree.  Over the next few weeks, these insects will seek shelter and transform into moths.

 Cankerworms, also known as loopers and inchworms, are found primarily on the leaves of American elm and Manitoba maple trees.  The fall and the spring cankerworm species often feed together during June and July.  They can be found hanging from silken threads underneath infested trees and can be a nuisance.

 Leafrollers feed while concealed within leaves that are rolled or tied together with silk webbing.  Ash trees are their preference, but they also attack other tree species.  The larvae will feed in mid- to late-June, but the leaves will remain rolled throughout the summer.

 Tree banding can be used to control cankerworms; however, it is not effective against leafrollers and tent caterpillars.  The best time to place bands on the trees is from September to May to help prevent the wingless adult female cankerworm moths from climbing host trees to lay their eggs.  It is important to remove the bands at the beginning of June because the band can collect moisture and cause the trunk to rot.  Unlike the adult female cankerworm, the female leafrollers and tent caterpillars have wings and will fly from tree to tree to lay their eggs.

 The City of Saskatoon does not control cankerworms, tent caterpillars or leafrollers as they typically do not impact the health of the trees they attack.  Homeowners interested in controlling them on their own trees should consult their local garden centre for advice.  For information on urban pests such as mosquitoes, Dutch Elm disease, wildlife, and tree defoliators, visit www.saskatoon.ca/pests

 -30-

 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

51ST ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING WARMAN RD
(Concrete work)
Continue on Lenore Dr to Primrose Dr for access to Warman Rd
Start: May 22, 4:00 a.m. End: May 22, 7:00 a.m.

ROLLING CLOSURE: CIRCLE DR E SB SINGLE LANE CLOSURES COLLEGE DR TO 14TH ST E
(Crack filling)
Start: May 22, 4:00 a.m. End: May 22, 4:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Start: May 22, 4:30 a.m. End: May 22, 6:00 a.m.

WARMAN RD NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN PRIMROSE DR & 51ST ST E
(Concrete work)
Start: May 22, 9:00 a.m. End: May 22, 3:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD SECTION OF NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 51ST ST E & GOERZEN ST
(Concrete work)
Start: May 22, 9:00 a.m. End: May 22, 3:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD SECTIONS OF NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 51ST ST E TO ADILMAN DR
(Concrete work)
Start: May 22, 9:00 a.m. End: May 22, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Roadwork)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 27, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water Main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: May 26, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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 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.

As part of the development of Saskatoon’s first Active Transportation Plan (ATP), the City of Saskatoon (City), is hosting a family-friendly public event on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at the Amphitheatre II, River Landing – rain or shine!  All residents are encouraged to stop by the active transportation tent anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn more about the project and share their vision for active transportation.

Active transportation includes any form of human-powered transportation for all ages and abilities, such as walking, jogging, cycling, skateboarding, and persons using mobility aids.

ATP Family-Friendly Drop-In Discussions
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Amphitheatre II, River Landing (next to the Pump House and South of the Farmer’s Market at the end of Avenue A South)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Can’t make the event?  Share your vision for active transportation in Saskatoon by completing the interactive online survey at www.growingfwd.ca/activetransportation ,available now until May 29.

The ATP is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2016.

For more information on the ATP or to sign up for project update notifications, please visit www.growingfwd.ca/activetransportation.

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.

Household hazardous waste requires proper disposal to reduce risks to humans and animals, and prevent pollution of our land, water and air. These materials should not be placed in your garbage or recycling bins, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. A temporary site will be set up at SaskTel Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the following dates in 2015:

2015 Household Hazardous Waste Days:

• May 23
• June 20
• July 4
• August 15
• September 19
• October 17
• November 21

For a complete list of materials accepted at HHW Days, please visit Saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste. A number of items can also be returned to local retailers for convenient and safe disposal or recycling – for current opportunities in the community, please visit Saskwastereduction.ca.

Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days. Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. A complete list of paint/paint products accepted at SARCAN locations can be found at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

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’s (City) Planning and Development Division, partnering with the Saskatoon Police Service, invite citizens to attend a commemorative Police call box unveiling ceremony outside of the Sturdy Stone Building.

Join His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison, Deputy Chief Bernie Pannell, and City Archivist Jeff O’Brien as they unveil a replica call box and celebrate the history of how it was used in the first part of the 20^th Century.

                                                                                  Police Call Box Unveiling Ceremony
                                                                                             Friday, May 22, 2015
                                                                                                        1:30 p.m.
                                                                                  Outside the Sturdy Stone Building
                                                                                Corner of 3^rd Avenue and 22^nd Street

The City has created this heritage interpretive element on 3^rd Avenue as part of the streetscape project currently underway. The call box will house a digital audio playback device that invites passing pedestrians to listen to audio tracks featuring short dramatized stories of policing in the Downtown.

The call boxes were actively used by the Police and Fire Departments between 1912 and 1960 to report incidents directly to headquarters. The project is located in what used to be known as Beat No. 1, the area bounded by 19^th Street on the south, 23^rd Street on the north, 4^th Avenue on the east, and 1^st Avenue on the west.

A second call box has been installed in the lobby of the Police Station (76 - 25^th Street East) featuring interviews conducted with retired police officers who actively worked the beat during the use of these boxes.

 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

CIRCLE DR LANE CLOSURE BETWEEN TAYLOR ST OVERPASS & TAYLOR ST ON RAMP
(Crack filling)
Rolling closure - SB median lane > SB curb lane > NB median lane > NB curb lane. Only one lane closed at a time.
Start: May 21, 4:00 a.m. End: May 21, 4:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Manhole repairs)
3rd Ave closed from 24th St to 25th St
Start: May 21, 9:00 a.m. End: May 21, 6:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD NB & SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM PRIMROSE DR TO LENORE DR/51ST ST E
(Concrete work)
Start: May 21, 9:00 a.m. End: May 21, 3:30 p.m.

22ND ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE N
(Signage installation)
Start: May 21, 9:00 a.m. End: May 21, 4:00 p.m.

22ND ST E WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO PACIFIC AVE
(Parks median work)
Start: May 21, 10:00 a.m. End: May 21, 12:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED ON RUTH ST OVERPASS
(Ground testing)
Start: May 21, 11:00 a.m. End: May 21, 2:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 45TH ST W
(Roadwork)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: May 27, 5:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST W
(Concrete work)
Start: May 20, 9:00 a.m. End: June 6, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST
(Water Main lining)
2-way traffic maintained in NB lanes
Start: May 19, 7:00 a.m. End: May 26, 4:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 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 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.

The City of Saskatoon today unveiled a new online dashboard for citizens to monitor the City’s progress and performance toward our strategic goals. The dashboard’s launch follows consultations with citizens on their priorities for the City and performance targets that should guide City planning and investment.

“The best way to make progress is to measure it,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We are highlighting 25 bold targets and indicators based on citizen feedback and the goals outlined in our 10-year Strategic Plan.  Going forward, we will use these dashboard targets and indicators to measure how we’re making strides toward greater efficiency, more savings and service improvements.”

Gryba adds the new dashboard is the product of an overall effort to promote continuous improvement and deliver programs and services that are better for citizens and the City’s finances.

“People want their City to deliver programs and services that are better for them as citizens and for the City’s bottom line,” she says.  “They want to know tax dollars are being invested wisely, services are being delivered efficiently and we are dedicated to continuous improvement. That’s why -- on top of the dashboard -- we’re focused on three initiatives aimed at improving our efficiency, savings and service. “

Three initiatives will drive this effort:

* Annual Civic Services Reviews
* Internal Process Reviews
* Innovation Teams

Civic Services Reviews will examine all aspects of any given program or service with a view to improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Process Reviews will focus on a single stream of activity or service with a view to eliminating waste and redundancy.

Innovation Teams -- a new strategy -- are front-line employees and other staff who will take a fresh look at how services get delivered and propose better ways of meeting the needs and expectations of citizens.

While saving tax dollars and improving service have always been priorities for the City, Gryba says this new push on performance will sharpen the City’s focus.

“This is not a new effort. It’s a renewed effort,” Gryba explains. “By making performance improvement a formal priority, and by incorporating performance measurement into everything we do, we’ll find better ways to save money, serve citizens and reach our goals.”

The new dashboard is intended to keep performance improvement front and center and serve as a running progress report on the strides the City is making toward key goals and targets. Progress will be updated annually or more regularly, depending on the target area and availability of fresh data. Background information, including comparative data from other cities, will also be available to citizens through the website.

“We are following City Council’s lead in wanting to improve transparency and involve citizens in the decisions and actions that affect them,” Gryba says. “This dashboard tool will give citizens a look into how we are doing as a City, both where we need to improve and where we are making strides.”

To view the City of Saskatoon’s new performance monitoring dashboard, background materials and other resources, visit saskatoon.ca/strides.

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Dream Development in conjunction with the City of Saskatoon began construction of the Stonebridge and Highway 11 Interchange at Victor Road in Stonebridge on Tuesday, May 19. The project is expected to be complete in fall of 2016, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The partial interchange at Victor Road and Highway 11 will complete the major access points to the Stonebridge neighbourhood and further improve traffic conditions at Clarence Avenue and Preston Avenue.  Dream Development (formerly Dundee Developments) has hired AECOM Canada Ltd. to design and manage the interchange while under construction and Graham Construction has been contracted to complete the construction of this project.  As a major stakeholder and eventual owner of the interchange, the City of Saskatoon has worked closely with Dream Development through the process and will coordinate traffic control for the duration of the project.

Access to the Stonebridge neighbourhood will not be affected by the construction however; lane restrictions and reduced speeds will be required on Highway 11 as construction progresses. No road restrictions are yet in place. As they occur, road restrictions will be communicated via City’s Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map at saskatoon.ca/constructionmap. Residents can also find Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts or follow the City on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

Dream Development and the City thank drivers for their patience while this work is carried out. For more information about the project visit saskatoon.ca/stonebridgeinterchange.

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.