What Are We Asking?

In the third round of engagement (Winter 2025), we want to gather feedback on the preferred design option for incorporating walking and cycling facilities along Millar Avenue and 43rd Street East between Millar Avenue and the Canadian National (CN) railway tracks

In Round 1 engagement (March 2024) and Round 2 engagement (July 2024), we learned important considerations from property owners, business operators, members of the public and community groups, which included considerations for accessibility, comfort, convenience and safety of walking and cycling on Millar Avenue and 43rd Street East. We are now excited to share the preferred design option.

The preferred design option includes a 3-metre wide shared use pathway on both sides of Millar Avenue. For 43rd Street East from Millar Avenue to the CN railway, the design is a 3-metre wide shared-use pathway on the north side and a 1.8-metre sidewalk on the south side of the roadway.

The final design will not remove any existing vehicle travel lanes.

City standards, cost, best practices from other cities, objectives from the Active Transportation Plan, technical feasibility and public feedback on the preferred design option will be used by the City and ISL to assist in finalizing the design plan. This is the final engagement event planned for the project.

Once finalized, the design will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation and City Council, anticipated in Spring 2025.

What is the Project About?

The City of Saskatoon is reviewing Millar Avenue (from 43rd Street to Marquis Drive) for the assessment, engagement, and design of walking and cycling facilities. As part of Saskatoon’s Active Transportation Plan’s (AT Plan) implementation strategy to have shelf-ready plans, the outcome of this project is to plan and design walking and cycling facilities, and does not include construction. Additionally, this project will address the lack of a sidewalk network along Millar Avenue and will NOT be taking away vehicle travel lanes in the design.

In Round 1 engagement (March 2024) and Round 2 engagement (July 2024), we learned from Millar Avenue property owners, business operators, members of the public and community groups, and now we’re excited to share the preferred design option we developed for improving accessibility, comfort, convenience and safety of walking and cycling along Millar Avenue.

The final design plan is planned to be provided to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation and City Council in 2025.

Why Are We Doing This Work?

Saskatoon’s Active Transportation Plan (AT Plan) was established to increase transportation options within the city by improving the accessibility, comfort, convenience, and safety of walking and cycling. The AT Plan identified Millar Avenue as a future all ages and abilities cycling route to work towards creating a complete, and connected bicycle network throughout Saskatoon.

To better understand the challenges and opportunities with this design project, the City is engaging with property owners, business operators, members of the public and community groups.

What is the Project About?

The City of Saskatoon reviewed the intersection of 51st Street East and Millar Avenue to identify a permanent design that addresses the safety and operational issues that exist at this intersection. 

A map of the project area is located here.

Why Are We Doing This Work?

This intersection was identified as requiring a review to assess the level of service after the construction of the North Commuter Parkway. The review identified problems in the following areas:

• Safety concerns at the driveways north and south of the intersection,
• Poor level of service during peak hours,
• Does not meet accessibility standards,
• Delays due to train crossings on 51st Street, east of the intersection, and
• Challenges for large vehicles heading westbound to make a right turn northbound.

Three different options have been developed to address these issues, including:

1. Improve Accessibility 
2. Relocate Driveways 
3. Complete Reconstruction 

After review, the recommended option is Option C – Complete Reconstruction, which consists of:

• Changes to the northbound and southbound lane
  • Left turn bay, through lane and a shared through/right turn lane
• Addition of a median island in the north and south leg
• Improved accessibility at all channelized islands
• Improved truck turning movements

The engagement boards are available here. 

How Can You Get Involved?

Online Survey 
To complete the online survey, click here. Please submit your response prior to February 25, 2025.  

The final design will be shared to this engage page after the final round of engagement is complete. Check this page for more details and updates to the final design. The What We Learned engagement summary report will be shared on this page after the final round of engagement is complete. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the project team at TransportationSurvey@saskatoon.ca if you require accommodation to complete the survey.