News Releases

NEW

SPADINA CRES E SB CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Temporary traffic light installation)
Start: April 25, 7:00 a.m. End: April 25, 10:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR NB CLOSED BETWEEN 22ND ST & 23RD ST
(water valve repair)
Start: April 25, 8:00 a.m. End: April 26, 12:00 p.m.

22ND ST EB CLOSED BETWEEN IDYLWYD DR & 1ST AVE
(water valve repair)
Start: April 25, 8:00 a.m. End: April 26, 12:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

25TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO CLARENCE AVE N
(Police Half Marathon)
Start: April 26, 7:00 a.m. End: April 26, 12:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD R NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 51ST ST & 60TH ST
(Pole maintenance)
Start: April 26, 7.30 a.m. End: April 26, 9:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ST GEORGE AVE TO CASCADE ST
(Street light maintenance)
Start: April 26, 8:00 a.m. End: April 26, 4:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN MARQUIS DR & 71ST ST
(Pole maintenance)
Start: April 26, 9.00 a.m. End: April 26, 10:30 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED APPROACHING HWY 16 EB ON RAMP
(Pole maintenance)
Start: April 26, 10.30 a.m. End: April 26, 12:00 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.

Spring is a busy time of year for projects in the yard, garden, and around the home.  Contractors and homeowners with a property adjacent to a civic park may wish to use it as an access point for deliveries, equipment, or vehicles related to their projects.

The City of Saskatoon (City) would like to remind contractors and homeowners about the importance of gaining approval before accessing a park to ensure the safety and enjoyment of these spaces for everyone.

Before access may be granted, the contractor/homeowner is responsible for contacting the Parks Division to arrange an onsite meeting and completing a request for access permit.  If permission is granted to access the park, the contractor/homeowner is then responsible for:

• Immediately removing all litter or debris after the project is complete;
• Immediately repairing any damages to civic property at their expense and/or paying any expense incurred by the City to repair damages;
• Following restrictions identified in the approval process, including limitations for vehicle access when the turf is wet;
• Accepting liability for any potential injuries and for damages to public property; and
• Contacting the Parks Division immediately after the work is complete for an inspection and to close the permit.

For more information or to begin the approval process for your project, call 306-975-3300 or visit saskatoon.ca/parks.

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.

8.1.5 Process of Handling Barking Dog Complaints

City Council will be asked to:

*receive the report as information
*consider proposed amendments to the Animal Control Bylaw
*request Administration to review the number of afterhours animal complaints received by the Saskatoon Police Service and whether there is an opportunity to consider a change in the hours of operation of the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency to be able to be more responsive to handling barking dog complaint calls in the evening.

Additional Information:

*The City’s current process for handling nuisance barking complaints involves completion of both a five-day and seven-day barking log thereby establishing evidence of a nuisance prior to a ticket being issued.
*Warnings are currently utilized in every case, but their use is not mandated by bylaw.
*Citizens have raised concerns that the current process is onerous and lengthy.
*This report offers suggestions of ways to decrease the length of the process while maintaining the integrity of the evidence for prosecutions.

8.3.6 FlexParking Update

City Council will be asked to:

*receive the report as information

Additional Information:

*There has been positive customer feedback and use of the new parking system.
*Single-stall meters are being removed with the posts repurposed to sustain the “hooding” program.
*The new Parking Card is active and available for purchase.
*Development is underway for a parking smart phone application.

8.3.13 Red Light Camera (RLC) Update and Status of Traffic Reserve

City Council will be asked to:

*receive the report as information
*approve $100,000 for Pedestrian Upgrades and Enhanced Pedestrian Safety from the Traffic Safety Reserve

Additional Information:

*The collision history before and after the installation of RLCs has resulted in a reduction of right-angle collisions.
*Funding is being requested from the Traffic Safety Reserve to install four new enhanced pedestrian crossings to increase the level of safety for pedestrians.

9.6.1 Parcel YY, River Landing Phase 1 – Request for Consent of City to Transfer of Interest and Amendments to Memorandum of Sale

City Council will be asked to:

*Victory Majors has requested that the City allow Victory Majors to transfer a portion of its interest in Parcel YY, (River Landing Phase I) to River Landing GP Inc., which is a general partner of River Landing General Partnership.

Additional Information:

*The City is still in charge of regulatory control over development on the site.  The City has the authority under the Direct Control District approval process and architectural guidelines set out in the South Downtown Local Area Design Plan.
*The changes will amend the development from a hotel, residential, office and retail complex to one of a phased, mixed-use development, with the same general uses. That means it could have one or more office spaces with extra commercial spaces, a hotel development phase and then a residential phase. Each phase have underground parking.
*excavation for the first phase must be up to grade within 18 months; the previous agreement required the entire parcel to be excavated. The clock starts ticking when shovels go in the ground.

9.11.1 2016 Business Plan and Budget Process

City Council will be asked to:

*Reaffirm Council’s four-year priorities
*Approve the proposed performance measures
*Endorse the proposed process for the 2016 Business Plan and Budget

Additional Information:

*A public engagement component proposed so the people of Saskatoon have an opportunity to provide input into the 2016 Business Plan and Budget.
*Performance measures will be integrated into the 2016 Business Plan and Budget Process to provide an objective method to measure the City’s performance in achieving measurable results.
*The City of Saskatoon’s 2016 Business Plan and Budget will need to carefully balance the fiscal constraints facing the City and the expanding service demands of a growing city.
*In addition to the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Plan, Council's priorities will provide direction and focus to the Administration in the preparation of the 2016 Business Plan and Budget.

NEW

MILLAR AVE CLOSED BETWEEN MARQUIS DR E & 68TH ST E
(Connection Repair)
Start: April 24, 9:00 a.m. End: April 24, 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 announced the major road and infrastructure projects that will lead the 2015 construction season. This is the second year of an aggressive ongoing strategy to improve the condition, safety and longevity of Saskatoon’s road network.

“With the increased budget in 2014, significant progress was made but we know more work is required to ensure our public infrastructure meets the needs of residents,” says Mike Gutek, Director of Major Projects. “This year, approximately $26.9 million will be invested in road and sidewalk rehabilitation alone. This is $1.7 million more than last year and we expect residents will again see evidence of that investment.

In 2015, 196 lane kilometres of road will be rehabilitated, ranging from high traffic roads to residential streets. That’s the same distance as from here to Emma Lake, and augments the more than 200 kilometres of roadway rehabilitated last year.

Among the major roadway projects planned this year are the 22nd Street and Circle Drive interchange, Circle Drive eastbound lanes from 33rd Street to Avenue C, parts of Wanuskewin Road, Lorne Avenue, Taylor Street and 3rd Avenue Downtown.

Although road repairs will again be the centrepiece of efforts this year, significant investments will also be made in building and developing infrastructure for Saskatoon’s new neighbourhoods and in rehabilitating almost 14 kilometres of water, storm and sewer mains. Repairs will be made to the University Bridge as well as the Highway 11 & 16 Cloverleaf Bridge and streetscaping work will continue along 20th Street West. 

The City will focus on completing quality work, safely and efficiently, with the least disruption possible this construction season. Weekend and night work will continue to be considered on projects where it makes sense. These efficiencies will allow the work to be completed timely and effectively, while reducing the impact on road users, residents and businesses.

“As we head into another busy season of road work and traffic detours we’re appealing to drivers to slow down, pay attention and respect work zones,” says Gutek. “We care about the safety of our employees, and the travelling public.”

There are a number of tools available for residents to plan ahead and avoid traffic congestion. Visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads and check the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects map to plan your route around road work. You can also find traffic detour information on our website and by following us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

A full list of 2015 Road Preservation and Rehabilitation projects is also available at saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E SB EXIT CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 8TH ST
(Hydovacing)
Start: April 23, 8:00 a.m. End: April 23, 1:00 p.m.

24TH ST E CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & 6TH AVE n
(Water main repair)
Start: April 23, 9:00 a.m. End: April 23, 6:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE J N TO AVE K N
(Curb box repair)
Start: April 23, 9:00 a.m. End: April 23, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE SB CLOSED BETWEEN 42ND ST & CIRCLE DR CLOSED
(Traffic detector repairs)
Start: April 23, 9:30 a.m. End: April 23, 12:30 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 is pleased to start its development of the first Active Transportation Plan (ATP) for one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

“There is a growing need for improved options when it comes to how we move around our city,” says Don Cook, Manager of Long Range Planning.  “The Active Transportation Plan will help to meet this need, making active forms of transportation safe, convenient, and attractive choices for our residents.”

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.

The ATP is a component of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million. It will explore how Saskatoon’s current infrastructure and programs support active transportation.  It also seeks to identify how the accessibility and attractiveness of our city’s active transportation options can be improved. 

“Public input will be important throughout the development of the ATP,” Cook says. “All residents are invited to be a part of creating a ‘made in Saskatoon’ plan that will promote personal health and recreation, help manage congestion, reduce  greenhouse gas emissions and  support our city as it grows to half a million people  over the next 30 to 40 years.”

From now until May 29, 2015, the public is invited to share their vision for active transportation in Saskatoon by completing an interactive online survey at www.growingfwd.ca/activetransportation.

In addition to online engagement, a family-friendly public event will be held 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.

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.

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.

NEW

SPADINA CRES E SB CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Temporary traffic light base installation)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 12:00 p.m.

2ND AVE N SB CURB & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED APPROACHING 23RD ST
(Manohole Repair)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 12:00 p.m.

24TH ST CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & 5TH AVE
(Water main repair)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 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 Water Treatment Plant is in the first stages of commissioning the biggest addition to the plant in more than 50 years. 

After two years of construction, city staff and Graham Construction have begun pre-commissioning of the new water reservoir, high lift pumping station, and Ultra-Violet treatment facility which is located at Avenue H and 11th Street.  This involves methodical testing and operation of numerous pipes, pumps, valves, controls, and monitoring sensors, both individually and as a system, which must integrate with existing plant infrastructure.  Extreme care is taken during this process, and the new infrastructure could be fully operational as early as May 30, 2015.

This infrastructure will further enhance the reliability and safety of the City’s drinking water system.  Saskatoon is one of the first cities in Canada to add ultraviolet to its treatment process to provide an additional barrier to the multi-barrier treatment process.

Many precautions and back-up systems are in place to prevent any adverse impacts to residents during commissioning.

A grand opening event with His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison, Councillors, and provincial and federal representatives from Canada-Saskatchewan Building Canada Fund will be held, with the date to be announced.  Public tours will be made available at that time as well.    

As commissioning proceeds, further PSAs will be issued at key milestones.

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 SUNDAY

WARMAN RD NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 7TH AVE N AND CAVERS ST
(Sasktel manhole work)
Start: April 19, 8:00 a.m. End: April 19, 12:00 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.