News Releases

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 17, 2014
                                             

The City of Saskatoon today unveiled a new interactive map making it easy for citizens to find out when utility cuts will be repaired. 

“Roads, sidewalks and landscaping may be affected by utility cuts and this new online map gives citizens access to a four week rolling schedule for asphalt, concrete and landscape repairs,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “We really want to help residents to understand what a utility cut is and that the maintenance and repair process for utility cuts is quite different than that of repairing a pothole.”

Utility cuts are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities such as water, sewer, natural gas, electricity or telephone services. The utilities are often located more than 8 feet deep. Cuts have straight edges and can range in size from one foot to more than 10 feet wide.

Once the underground work to utilities is completed, the excavation is filled with gravel.  Roads are maintained as required with a grader until they can be permanently paved.  Typically, utility cuts can only be permanently repaired, from May to October, when the ground has defrosted, and when hot-mix asphalt is available.  This process is required to allow the ground to settle and prevent the permanent asphalt layer from sinking.                                                             

Since early June crews have repaired 410 utility cuts. There are approximately 650 still to be repaired.

“2014 has seen the third highest number of water main breaks on record, due to the severity of the winter and the impact of deeper than normal ground frost,” says Hyde. “In addition, as Saskatoon continues to grow, there is more construction and more infill development in established neighbourhoods, which means more utility cuts are required to connect underground services.”

With such a high number of utility cuts to pave this year, the City has employed contractors to help repair the roads faster, reducing the inconvenience to motorists.

To access the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedules map go to saskatoon.ca/go/maps. Find more information about road repairs by clicking on Building Better Roads at saskatoon.ca.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 16, 2014
                                           

8TH STREET UNDER CIRCLE DRIVE OVERPASS, JULY 17

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 8th Street westbound and eastbound turn lanes onto the Circle Drive will be closed  while crews repair lighting.

Access to Circle Drive will be maintained. The lanes are expected to reopen by 12:00 p.m. Noon the same day. 

33RD STREET UNDER THE CIRCLE DRIVE OVERPASS, JULY 17

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 33rd Street westbound curb (outside) lane will be closed under the Circle Drive overpass while crews repair lighting.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 4:00 p.m. the same day.

CIRCLE DRIVE SOUTHBOUND APPROACHING 33RD STREET OFF RAMP, JULY 17

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, Circle Drive southbound curb (outside) lane will be closed approaching the 33rd Street off ramp while crews repair a large hole beside the road.

Access to 33rd Street off ramp will be maintained. The work is expected to last one day.

4TH AVENUE BETWEEN 19TH STREET & 20TH STREET, JULY 17

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 4th Avenue southbound lanes and northbound median (inside) lane will be closed between 19th Street and 20th Street while crews repair a sanitary sewer main.

The road is expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS CIRCLE DRIVE NORTH BRIDGE, JULY 17

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, Circle Drive North Bridge eastbound and westbound median (inside) lanes will be closed while crews wash the bridge.

To minimize disruption to traffic, the work is scheduled to take place overnight and the lanes are expected to be re-open by 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon's Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office, in partnership with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, are planning a unity walk to celebrate the life and work of Nelson Mandela on Friday, July 18.

The First Annual Nelson Mandela International Day will start with a workshop on the messages of Nelson Mandela at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (168 Wall Street) where participants will work with community members and workshop leaders to create messages of unity and peace.  The unity walk will take place following the workshop and proceed to City Hall Civic Square (222 3rd Avenue North) where refreshments and performances by local community artists will take place.  Everyone is welcome to drop-in to attend all or part of the celebrations. There is no cost to participate.

International Nelson Mandela Day
Friday, July 18, 2014
1:00 p.m.   Workshop at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre
2:00 p.m.   Unity Walk to City Hall Civic Square
2:30 p.m.   Refreshments and performances by community artists in Civic Square 

For more information, please contact the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office at 306-975-7826.

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.

For Immediate Release: July 15, 2014
                                           

4TH AVENUE BETWEEN 21ST STREET AND 20TH STREET, JULY 16

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 4th Avenue southbound lanes and the northbound median (inside) lane will be closed from 21st Street to 20th Street while crews repair a manhole.

The road is expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS CIRCLE DRIVE NORTH BRIDGE, JULY 16

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, Circle Drive North Bridge eastbound and westbound curb (outside) lanes will be closed while crews wash the bridge.

The lanes are expected to be reopen by 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 17.

The 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 14, 2014
                                           

CENTRAL AVENUE CLOSED FROM 111TH STREET AND 113TH STREET, JULY 15 – AUGUST 5

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, Central Avenue will be closed from 111th Street to 113th Street while crews work on water main linings.

Traffic will be detoured via Egbert Avenue. The work is expected to last 3 weeks.

33RD STREET BETWEEN EDMONTON AVE & AVE P, JULY 15-17

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, the following restrictions will be in place while crews work on underground utilities:

- 33rd Street westbound lanes will be closed between Avenue P and Edmonton Avenue
- 33rd Street eastbound median (inside) lane will be closed between Edmonton Avenue and Avenue P

A detour will be in place for westbound traffic. The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.

51ST STREET OVERPASS OVER IDYLWYLD DRIVE, JULY 15

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 51st Street eastbound and westbound median (inside) lanes will be closed on the Idylwyld Drive overpass while crews repair an expansion joint.

The road is expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2014
 

MILLAR AVENUE BETWEEN 43RD STREET AND MOLARO PLACE, JULY 13 

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, the following restrictions will be in place on Millar Avenue while crews prepare the road to be paved:

Sunday, July 13 – 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

- Millar Avenue northbound will be closed between 52nd Street and Molaro Place
- Millar Avenue southbound median (inside) lane will be closed between 52nd Street and Molaro Place
- Millar Avenue northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed between 43rd Street and 51st Street

The work is expected to last one day.

VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS FOR RIVER RUN CLASSIC, JULY 13

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, the following restrictions will be in place to accommodate the Run River Classic event:

- Spadina Crescent will be closed from 2nd Avenue to 20th Street
- Spadina Crescent northbound will be closed from 20th Street to Silverwood Road
- Spadina Crescent southbound will be closed between Mendel traffic lights and 24th Street (including University Bridge westbound ramp to Spadina Crescent)

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 12:00 p.m. Noon, the same day.

SPADINA CRESCENT CLOSURES FOR A TASTE OF SASKATCHEWAN, JULY 13-20

Beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, Spadina Crescent will be closed from 20th Street to near 3rd Avenue to accommodate the A Taste of Saskatchewan event.

Spadina Crescent northbound curb (outside) lane will also be closed between 20th Street and the Bessborough parking lot entrance.

The restrictions will be lifted by 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS: 24TH STREET BETWEEN 3RD AVENUE & 5TH AVENUE, JULY 13

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, 24th Street will be closed between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue while crews apply permanent road markings.

The 4th Avenue intersection will remain open to through traffic.

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14.

OVERNIGHT RESTRICTIONS: IDYLWYLD DRIVE FROM 24TH STREET TO 27TH STREET, JULY 13

Beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, Idylwyld Drive will be closed between 24th Street and 27th Street while crews apply permanent road markings.

A detour will be in place in both directions.

The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 14.

REMINDER: ASSINIBOINE DRIVE FROM WARMAN ROAD TO KOOTENAY DRIVE, JULY 11-17

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, Assiniboine Drive will be closed between Warman Road and Kootenay Drive while crews pave the road.

A detour will be in place via Churchill Drive and Ravine Drive.

The work is expected to last 8 days.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Construction season is progressing well as the City of Saskatoon builds, repairs and maintains more roads than ever before.

“To date we have completed approximately 30 per cent of the 2014 roadway preservation and rehabilitation work,” says Chris Hallam, Director of Construction and Design. “This year we plan to resurface 178 lane kilometres of road, the same distance as from here to Kindersley and 100 kilometres more than last year.”

So far, crews have resurfaced 52 lane kilometres, including recent major projects on Circle Drive from College Drive to the Circle Drive North Bridge and on 51st Street between Faithfull Avenue and Wanuskewin Road. Work on both of these major projects was done at night only, opening the road to traffic during the day.

“As a result of the night work we have definitely seen reduced congestion and less of an impact on drivers and surrounding businesses,” says Hallam. “The same goes for the 24 hour cycles, where the work is being completed quickly, reducing the overall impact to drivers.”

Work to twin Claypool Drive is underway this week. Next week, resurfacing work will be happening 24 hours a day at the Circle Drive and Highway 16 cloverleaf intersection and beginning in late July, Millar Avenue will be repaved from 43rd Street to Molaro Place, in the evenings only.

“Above average rainfall in June delayed some projects by one to two weeks”, says Hallam. “Typically the weather is better during the months of July, August and September so we are confident crews will be able to make up that lost time.” 

The City encourages citizens to use the new Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map found on saskatoon.ca under Check This Out! or click on the link to Building Better Roads. The map allows users to pinpoint the exact location of work zones using GPS technology and get up to date information, schedules and timelines for each project.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014
                                           

CIRCLE DRIVE NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HIGHWAY 16 & TAYLOR STREET

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, the following lane restrictions will be in place on Circle Drive while crews remove a weight scale.

- Circle Drive northbound curb lane from Highway 16 off ramp to Circle Drive westbound will be closed
- Circle Drive northbound median (inside) lane closed after Highway 16 westbound to Circle Drive northbound on ramp will be closed 

The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 2:00 p.m. the same day.

IDYLWYLD DRIVE BETWEEN 20TH STREET & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE, JULY 11

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, Idylwyld Drive northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed while crews repair guard rails.

The lanes are expected to reopen by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is concerned about drivers disobeying the flashing red lights in front of all of our fire stations. We have requested that the Saskatoon Police Service regularly assist us in addressing this problem and in some instances have forwarded licence plate numbers to them.

According to The Traffic Safety Act drivers facing a flashing red light must stop at the crosswalk, light or sign and not proceed until it is safe to do so. In some instances, our fire stations were built close to the street and the fire trucks must cross all lanes of traffic while preparing to back in. It is not safe to drive behind a fire truck that is preparing to back up.

As a department we say thank you to the hundreds of residents who pull to the right when they see lights and sirens behind them, who stay well back during emergencies letting us do our work efficiently and who wait patiently at the flashing red lights so we can either leave or return to the Station. In fires and life threatening emergencies every second counts. We rely on the public to help us gain every second possible.

Today, officials from the City of Saskatoon (City), along with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, unveiled the first in a series of special interpretative signs at Hyde Park to celebrate the history of how the very unique naturalized park, one of the first of its kind in Saskatoon, came to be. 

Participating in the ceremony were His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison; Darren Crilly, Director of Parks Division; Michael Champion, Head of Industry and Government Relations for Ducks Unlimited Canada in Saskatchewan; Bob Rogers, Conservation Chairperson for the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation; and Reed Hentze, Vice President of the Rosewood Community Association.

Hyde Park, located in the Rosewood neighbourhood, is a 123 acre naturalized park.  The park was first identified in 2007 in the South East Park Landscape Master Plan when the City and involved stakeholders, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, made it a priority to approach the development of the Hyde Stormwater Management Area in an innovative way and work with the land in its naturalized state.  Through this process, it was decided it should serve as a wetland, storm water pond area, and a centre for interpretative and educational programming with respect to wetlands and natural habitat.  Through feedback from the community, the final park design evolved to include a total of five ponds, numerous walking trails and sports fields, play equipment, and an off-leash dog park set to open soon.

“Our citizens identify park space as vital to the quality of life in Saskatoon,” said Mayor Donald Atchison. “This park is special because it includes wetlands in their naturalized state unusual in their size and proximity to the city. This would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Administration, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation.”

Ducks Unlimited Canada, along with partners, including a major contribution from the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, committed an initial $100,000 to the development and construction of an educational and habitat component, including spearheading future programming and events.  Interpretative signs are a part of this educational component.  The sign unveiled at the ceremony today represents the first in a series designed to illustrate the history of the land and Hyde Park’s importance as a naturalized wetland in Saskatoon.

Hyde Park will be officially completed in the Fall of 2014, at which time, it will be owned and maintained by the City of Saskatoon Parks Division.  For more information on park construction, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/parks.

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.