News Releases

The City of Saskatoon’s new red-light camera system is now fully operational and drivers can now view their violations online.

“Prior to the implementation of this system, those drivers wishing to view footage of their infraction needed to set up an appointment at City Hall,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “With this new system, a violation notice will now include a notice number and a Personal Identification Number that provides online access to photos and video of the infraction.”

The City began using red-light cameras in 2005; since then on average there has been a 9 per cent reduction in injury and fatality rates and a 12 per cent reduction in right-angle collisions (the most severe type). At the Preston Avenue and 8th Street intersection in particular, injury and fatality rates have reduced by 25 per cent and right-angle collisions by 45 per cent.

“We are committed to traffic safety, the overall goal of this program is to reduce collisions and achieve zero infractions,” says Gardiner.  “All revenue generated through the red-light camera program goes into our traffic safety reserve, making our roads safer for everyone in Saskatoon.”

The City would also like to remind residents that by law, drivers must come to a complete stop before making a right turn on a red light.

“We have had a significant number of calls from people complaining about receiving a violation notice for making a right turn on a red light without stopping first,” says Gardiner. “This allows the driver to have a clear picture of on-coming traffic and ensure there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk before proceeding.”

Red-light safety cameras are located at the following intersections:

- Preston Avenue and 8th Street
- Warman Road and 51st Street
- Avenue C and Circle Drive
- 33rd Street and Idylwyld Drive (New November 2013)

Drivers who disobey the traffic signal receive a violation notice and a fine of $230.

For more information go to Saskatoon.ca and click on “R” for Red Light Cameras.

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.

Saskatoon residents take protection of our environment seriously. During the eight Household Hazardous Waste Day events in 2014 so far, the program has realized a number of successes:

- 1,665 total participants;

- 42,522 kg total weight of materials collected. This exceeds the amount collected in 2012 (40,036 tonnes) and is on-track to exceed the total weight collected in 2013 (51,598 tonnes);

- The most common materials that have been collected in 2014 (by weight) include oil and oil products, antifreeze, light bulbs, ink cartridges, flammable liquids, paint and batteries.

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 the garbage or recycling, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure residential household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City of Saskatoon coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. 

The next Household Hazardous Waste Day is on Saturday, September 20. A temporary site will be set up at Credit Union Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saskatoon residents are encouraged to drop off materials such as, pesticides, automotive oil, prescription medicine, light bulbs, batteries, aerosols, poisons, propane cylinders, household cleaners, mercury-containing items and electronics (accepted by the Electronic Producer Recycling Association).

Future Household Hazardous Waste Days are scheduled for October 18, November 15 and December 20. Mark your calendars!

Residents are reminded that leftover paint and empty paint cans are conveniently accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. Please do not bring paint to a Household Hazardous Waste Day unless it is not accepted through the SARCAN program. Find out what is accepted through SARCAN’s paint program at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint. 

For a complete list of accepted and non-acceptable materials, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “H” for Household Hazardous Waste Days.

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.

 

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon initiative has posted a “Spotlight On” blog to www.growingfwd.ca (look under Shaping Growth) that focuses on the City’s sustainable growth strategies and the development of a long-term plan to guide redevelopment along Saskatoon’s major corridors. 
“With Saskatoon’s population expected to double over the next 30 to 40 years, there are significant opportunities to shape how our city grows,” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development. “Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon will examine our potential for growth near major corridors like 8th Street, Preston Avenue, Idylwyld Drive, and 22nd Street.”
The growth blog post is part of Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon’s “Spotlight On” Information Series to keep residents informed and engaged on the development of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan). 
To view “Spotlight On” blog posts or to sign up for project update notifications, please visit www.growingfwd.ca.
Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon is a public planning initiative to help guide Saskatoon’s growth to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.  A major outcome of this initiative will be a Growth Plan to Half a Million that will guide future civic investments in transit, core area bridges, development near major corridors, employment areas, active transportation, and underground infrastructure so residents will have more choices for how they live, work, and move around the city as Saskatoon grows.
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon process.  Watch for more public engagement opportunities coming in Fall 2014. 
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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NEW

20TH ST & AVE O INTERSECTION FOUR-WAY STOP
(Traffic signal maintenance)
Start: September 17, 9:00 a.m. End: September 17, 1:00 p.m.
EXTENDED: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 26, 6:00 p.m.
ONGOING
20TH ST W EB & WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE E S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 16, 9:00 a.m. End: September 23, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water main lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon will be hosting Fall Freestyle, the annual skateboard event, on Saturday, September 20, 2014.  This event will feature live DJ music, prizes, pizza, and skateboard demonstrations.

Kids, families, and youth of all ages are welcome to attend this FREE event, which takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lion’s Skate Park in Victoria Park (next to Riversdale Pool at 822 Avenue H South).  Remember to bring and wear your helmet and safety gear.

The event will also feature an opportunity to provide feedback to the Recreation and Parks Master Plan team on the future of skateboarding in Saskatoon.  For more information, please call 306-975-3378.

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
VALLEY RD SB & NB RAMPS AT CIRCLE DR WB CLOSED
(Road paving)
Start: September 16, 9:00 a.m. End: September 16, 6:00 p.m.
20TH ST W EB & WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE E S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 16, 9:00 a.m. End: September 23, 6:00 p.m.
ONGOING

TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic set in NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Website Project Steering Committee is pleased to announce the launch of three new engagement exercises in September.  These exercises focus on understanding what residents want to be able to do on the new website homepage and how they’d like it to look.

“Public involvement is key to a successful redesign of Saskatoon.ca,” says Project Manager Rob Gilhuly.  “The website project is at a vital point in its development. Residents now have the opportunity to shape decisions around the site’s design and functionality.”

“A new poll will help gauge citizen preference between two different design approaches.  We also want to test different homepage layouts to see if they help users in task completion,” Gilhuly says.  “The City encourages all residents to visit the project engagement site, new.saskatoon.ca to get involved.”

For more information on the website project, or to sign to become a volunteer tester, please visit new.saskatoon.ca.

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 at @CityofSaskatoon and @YXEServiceAlerr and on Facebook at Saskatoon City News.

Nominations for the by-election for Catholic School Board Trustee will be accepted at the City Clerk’s Office, Second Floor, City Hall, during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) from September 14 until September 23, and on September 24 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Nomination forms are available at the City Clerk’s Office, Second Floor, City Hall, 222 – 3^rd Avenue North, the Frances Morrison Central Library and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board Office.  All nominations must be accompanied by a deposit of $100.00 in cash, certified cheque or money order.

The by-election for Catholic School Board Trustee will be on Wednesday, October 29. For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “E” for Elections or call 306-975-3240.

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 at @CityofSaskatoon and @YXEServiceAlerr and on Facebook at Saskatoon City News.

NEW
20TH ST W EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE C S TO AVE B S
(Crane Lift)
Start: September 15, 9:00 a.m. End: September 15, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT BROADWAY AVE INTERSECTION
(Road work)
Start: September 15, 9:30 a.m. End: September 15, 4:00 p.m.
ONGOING
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE 2-WAY TRAFFIC IN NB LANES FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

TU14-397

The City of Saskatoon has completed work on a two-year study entitled the Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan which looks at various ways of improving traffic safety in Saskatoon. The project was a joint initiative with partners at the University of Saskatchewan, including the College of Engineering and the Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure (SCETI).  The Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan will be one of the items discussed at the September 15th meeting of the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation. 

“The plan provides many good insights about how the City can collaborate with other stakeholders to share resources and maximize investments in traffic safety,” says Jay Magus, Engineering Manager in Transportation (City of Saskatoon). “Now we have one more tool to make smart financial decisions on how to allocate funding toward road and traffic improvements. It can serve as a resource for many years.”

“Saskatoon is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada,” notes Carl Kuhnke, Managing Director of SCETI (University of Saskatchewan). “Our centre encourages and funds innovative ideas that utilize the expertise at the university; this traffic safety initiative was an obvious one for us.” Kuhnke says the work of the research team, combined with expertise at the City and Saskatoon Police Service, has provided strong guidance for the City to accurately prioritize their traffic safety strategies based on historical, current, and forecast needs. The university research team was led by Dr. Peter Park, Associate Professor of Civil and Geological Engineering.

The Strategic Traffic Safety Action Plan identifies seven areas of emphasis for traffic safety including aggressive, distracted and impaired driving; intersections; older and younger drivers; and vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians and cyclists). Over 30 collaborative and data-driven strategies are recommended to address traffic safety, focusing on education, enforcement, and/or engineering. Examples of these include improved traffic signal operation, well maintained pavement markings, and public education around impaired and distracted driving. These strategies were developed in partnership with the Saskatoon Board of Education, SGI, the Saskatoon Health Region, and the Saskatoon Police Service. 

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and enter ‘Traffic Safety Plan’ in the search field.