News Releases

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.

Pothole repairs are in full swing with crews using 195 tonnes of asphalt to repair the equivalent of approximately 11,000 potholes since hot-mix asphalt became available on April 8, 2015. This measurement is based on an average sized pothole with a 12” diameter and 4” depth.

“With the good weather we’ve been able to get out a week ahead of previous years to begin patching potholes with hot-mix asphalt,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “Crews are out 7-days a week inspecting and repairing potholes, but we can’t be everywhere at once. Residents can help us by using the enhanced Report-a-Pothole map to report locations.”

Since the new and improved Report-a-Pothole map was launched on April 2, 2015, 839 locations have been reported. New locations reported on the map are inspected each morning and are rated to determine priority. Pothole repairs are prioritized based on their size, depth, location within the roadway (driving lane, curb lane etc.), and the traffic volume on that street.

“Potholes that cause concern in the driving lanes of high traffic streets and potholes with the potential to cause damage are repaired first,” says Hyde. “This enables us to cover more area on the priority streets faster and we return at a later date to repair the remaining minor potholes.”

The Spring Pothole Blitz is currently focused along many of the same high-traffic streets as the Spring Street Sweeping Blitz programs at which point many of the potholes reported on the map will be addressed. View the schedule at saskatoon.ca/betterroads. Pothole repairs for all remaining streets will follow the Accelerated City Wide Neighbourhood Sweeping program due to begin in early May.

2015 Improvements:

• The standardized use of so called “hot boxes” instead of open-back trucks, to control the temperature of the hot-mix asphalt during patching, will result in better quality, longer lasting repairs.
• Improved work zone set ups including increased signage and protocols will ensure enhanced worker safety and clearer direction for drivers.

If the mild weather continues, we expect the frost to be completely out of the ground in the next few weeks at which point the following programs will begin:

• Inspectors will begin rating back lanes next week to determine the level of repairs required and the Back Lane Maintenance and Reconstruction will begin around June.
• Permanent repairs to Utility Cuts will begin early May. Utility Cuts are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities. Cuts have straight edges and can range in size from one foot to more than 10 feet wide and are gravel filled. These are not considered potholes. Residents can view the status of these repairs on the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule map.

For more information and the visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

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.

City of Saskatoon golf courses are ready to welcome golfers for another season.  Holiday Park and Silverwood Golf Courses will open this week, and follow Wildwood Golf Course, which opened Thursday, April 9, 2015.

Holiday Park (Phone:  306-975-3325; 1630 Avenue U South)
Friday, April 17: 12 p.m. (all holes)
 

Silverwood (Phone:  306-975-3314; 3503 Kinnear Avenue)
Thursday, April 16:  12 p.m.  (Front/Lake 9)
Saturday, April 18:  7 a.m. (Back/River 9)

Wildwood (Phone:  306-975-3320; 4050 8th Street East)
Opened April 9

Online tee time reservations are available for Holiday Park and Silverwood starting at 12 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at www.saskatoon.ca/golf.  Golfers are able to book 9 or 18 holes of play for groups of one to four players up to ten days in advance at any of the three municipal golf courses.  Online tee time reservations are not available for same day bookings.  Same day bookings can be completed by phone or in person.  A valid email address is required to make tee time reservations.

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:

• April 18
• 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.

Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days unless it is not accepted through the SARCAN program. 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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