News Releases

The City welcomes a decision of the provincial government to place further restrictions on social gatherings.

“Based on discussions with our Director of Emergency Management, City Council and Senior Administration I gave notice for a Special City Council meeting at 3:30 this afternoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This was done in anticipation of needing to take further steps in addressing the growing concern that as we try to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, gathering in restaurants and bars was an ongoing risk in our community.

“Based on the announcement today by the provincial government that additional restrictions for bars and restaurants will be included in the Provincial State of Emergency restrictions, the Special City Council meeting is cancelled."

“We thank the Province for providing leadership with this difficult decision,” Mayor Clark says. “We know it has significant impacts on many local businesses”

Mayor Clark adds this decision will meet the local advice he is hearing from the City’s Emergency Management team about what is needed to keep our community as safe as possible at this time. 

Director of Emergency Management Organization Pamela Goulden-McLeod echoes Mayor Clark’s sentiment.

“The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their leadership and direction in enacting the extended measures to support our provinces safety during this unprecedented event,” Goulden-McLeod says.

“The provincial government’s bravery in taking these extraordinary measures will make a significant difference within our communities. We value the hard work of our provincial partners and we continue to look forward working together in this ongoing rapidly changing situation.” 

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

NEW

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM KING ST TO PRINCESS ST
(Water & sewer work)
Start: March 23, 8:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR ROAD CLOSED FROM ST LAURENT CRES TO LLOYD CRES
(Valve replacement)
Start: March 23, 9:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE TO PEMBINA AVE
(Streetlight cable replacement)
Start: March 23, 9:30 a.m. End: March 23, 3:30 p.m.


ONGOING

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 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.

While the City of Saskatoon acknowledges the severity of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it is having on the community, the City and its construction partners will proceed as planned with the construction on the east half of the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street.

This project is an essential service to residents and core City infrastructure. With a very limited window for construction projects of this magnitude, it is important that such work is completed safely and in the most ideal seasonal conditions. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30. 

“Safety for our crews and for residents is our number one priority during this project,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “Strict worksite restrictions, social distancing, and other precautionary medical measures will be in place to protect both construction crews and residents and to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Major rehabilitation began on the 54-year-old structure last year to ensure it remains safe and structurally sound for years to come. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction, however lane restrictions and traffic delays are expected.

From March 30 until mid-October, the northbound lanes heading into downtown will be closed and two-way traffic will be accommodated in the southbound lanes. The bridge walkway and stairs will also be closed for construction. The Meewasin trails will remain open, however there may be a closure directly under the south side of the bridge for a portion of the construction season.

The Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project includes:

• Resurfacing of the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street 
• Walkway widening with taller barriers for improved pedestrian protection
• New drainage system to help better traction by reducing puddles and splashing
• Concrete deck repairs and asphalt replacement
• Strengthening of piers
• Barrier replacement

The City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need to rehabilitate the bridge. The project was phased over two years to allow two-way traffic over the bridge to be maintained throughout construction.

Necessary adjustments will be made to traffic signal timing and construction signage will be in place. The left turn onto 20^th Street from Idylwyld Drive northbound will not be permitted, however a U-turn will be implemented at Auditorium Avenue. Updated project information is posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold and restrictions will be listed in the Daily Road Report.

The City of Saskatoon is utilizing $15 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) allocations towards the Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project. The GTF in Saskatchewan is administered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations.

The City thanks drivers and pedestrians for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. 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. 

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

NEW

2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO SAUNDERS PL
(Crane repairs)
Start: March 21, 5:00 a.m. End: March 21, 6:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM WILSON CRES TO GLASGOW ST
(Tree pruning)
Start: March 22, 8:00 a.m. End: March 22, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHTWORK

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 20, 7:00 p.m. End: March 21, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 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.

Diefenbaker Drive, between St. Laurent and Lloyd crescents, will be closed starting Monday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. to replace a valve. This work is expected to take two days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  

Saskatoon Transit will continue to operate as scheduled. Transit service alerts, regarding detours or temporary bus stop closures, and real-time bus locations are available on third party apps like Transit and Google Transit on desktop.