News Releases

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM MAPLE ST E TO ISABELLA ST E
(Water main valve replacement)
Start: December 8, 8:00 a.m. End: December 8, 4:30 p.m.

FAITHFULL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 43RD ST E TO 45TH ST E
(Hydrovaccing)
Start: December 8, 9:00 a.m. End: December 8, 2:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR WB LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED AT WIGGINS AVE N
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: December 8, 9:00 p.m. End: December 9, 5:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE N TO BOTTOMLEY AVE N
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: December 8, 9:00 p.m. End: December 9, 5:00 a.m.

ONGOING

TAYLOR ST ROAD CLOSED FROM SALISBURY DR TO MADDEN AVE
(Hydrant repairs)
Start: December 5, 1:00 p.m. End: TBD

NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD            
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: December 15, 4:00 p.m.   

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr to 8th St
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Construction has wrapped up in Weaver Park where crews had been working since February on the City of Saskatoon’s (City) third Flood Control Strategy (FCS) project. The playground has reopened, but the new dry storm pond will remain fenced off until fall 2024 to allow the new sod and trees time to establish.

“During intense summer storms, rainwater would pool and cause significant flooding around Cascade Street, Dufferin Avenue and Bute Street intersections,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Now, the water will flow through an upgraded storm sewer system and into the new pond. The pond temporarily stores the water which eventually drains back through the underground pipe system and into the South Saskatchewan River. Outside of major rain events, the pond is dry and enjoyed as recreation and green space.”

The FCS was approved by City Council in 2018 and is aimed at reducing flooding in nine of Saskatoon’s most flood prone areas. Dry storm ponds have since been built in W.W. Ashley Park and Churchill Park, and construction on the City’s fourth FCS project will begin in Brevoort Park South in early 2024. 

Prior to the establishment of the FCS, Saskatoon already had nine dry storm ponds, mostly in neighbourhoods built after 1989 when enhanced storm water infrastructure standards were established.  

The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from storm water utility charges.  

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan. 

The City of Saskatoon has implemented enhancements to bolster safety at various intersections in 2023 throughout the city. 

The installation of traffic signals and pedestrian devices aims to improve transportation safety while ensuring reliable travel for everyone, whether they are walking, riding a bike, riding a bus, or driving a car. The City remains committed to creating safe and accessible streets for all. 

Traffic Signals Installed in 2023: 

Lowe Road & Nelson Road 

McOrmond Drive & Brighton Common 

Pedestrian Crossing Devices Installed in 2023: 

22nd Street & Avenue V – Pedestrian Actuated Signal  

Millar Avenue & 60th Street – Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Millar Avenue & 64th Street – Active Pedestrian Corridor 

33rd Street & Avenue G - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Lorne Avenue & Isabella Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Broadway Avenue & 3rd Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Broadway Avenue & 6th Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Stonebridge Common & Laycock Crescent - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Nelson Road & Heal Avenue – Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon 

Stonebridge Common & Snell Crescent - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon 

The pedestrian actuated signal at 22nd Street & Avenue V received funding from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program, emphasizing the collaborative effort to enhance pedestrian safety.  

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grants are awarded to communities twice a year. The City will continue submitting funding applications to improve safety at other intersections and school zones throughout Saskatoon. 

For more information on pedestrian safety in Saskatoon visit saskatoon.ca/pedestriansafety 

Faithfull Avenue will be closed from 43rd to 45th streets for hydrovaccing on Friday, December 8, starting at 9:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take half a day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.  

Based on the City’s third quarter (Q3) forecast, City Administration estimates at the end of this fiscal year, the 2023 Operating Budget will have a surplus of $3.0 million. In addition, the City’s Utilities are expected to realize a $10.9 million surplus.

“The City has benefitted from our intentional efforts to achieve year-over-year savings, along with several favourable external factors - both have contributed to the City’s projected $3.0 million surplus,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance.

With intentional effort, the Administration put in place discretionary hiring and spending freezes, with approximately $5.1 million in savings expected due to:

• approximately $800,000 in savings from reduced training investments;
• $3.1 million savings from deferred hiring; and
• $1.2 million in savings from office, maintenance or other expenditure deferrals. 

“While these initiatives have led to savings in 2023, if the City continues with this approach year after year, this may lead to longer-term impacts such as higher future costs of maintenance, and staff training falling significantly behind” adds Smith.

The favourable external factors contributing to the City’s projected Q3 surplus include:

• Relatively minor snow events in 2023 compared with typical years resulted in a projected $3.3 million surplus in the City’s snow and ice management program;
• Higher than anticipated interest rate environment has resulted in $1.5 million in additional investment income;
• Closure of Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre has contributed to an overall surplus for Leisure Centres of $1.7 million; and
• Significant increases to Transit and Access Transit revenues and a quicker return to pre-pandemic ridership resulting in $3.2 million in higher than budgeted revenues.

The favourable variance between the intentional efforts and favorable circumstances detailed above have been used to offset the City’s $5.7 million in targeted annual savings as well as additional base budget challenges such as $3.0 million in Information Technology, and $1.1 million in Facilities Management.

The projected surplus of $3.0 million in 2023 is still preliminary and welcome news but, it is important to note that many of the external factors experienced in 2023 may not continue in future years. This highlights the importance of establishing the recently approved 2024/2025 Budget as sustainable - and with adequately funded service levels for the next two years.

Each year, City of Saskatoon Administration provides mid-year, third quarter and year-end reports to City Council on the fiscal performance of the City’s Business Plan and Budgets. The objective is to keep City Council and residents informed on expenditure and revenue variances from the budget estimates as the fiscal year progresses.

 Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information.