News Releases

The next phase of the College Drive Water Main Maintenance Project starts on Monday, August 19. The eastbound lanes between Clarence Avenue and Wiggins Avenue will fully close with one lane for eastbound traffic in the westbound lanes. This phase is expected to take approximately 4 weeks to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

• Zipper merging will be required due to lane closures. Drivers are reminded to use all available lanes and take turns at the end. This will help everyone get through the work zone faster.
• 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.

The College Drive Water Main Maintenance Project will be underway until October. To see current road restrictions on priority Saskatoon roadways during the 2024 construction season, check and/or subscribe to the City’s Daily Road Report or visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

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

NEW

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB & CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE N TO WARMAN RD
(Pavement markings)
Start: August 16, 7:00 a.m. End: August 17, 5:00 a.m.

11TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T S TO AVE X S
(Patching)
Start: August 16, 9:00 a.m. End: August 16, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W NB LANES SPEED REDUCTION FROM 33RD ST W TO AIRPORT DR
(Sewer lining)
Start: August 16, 9:00 a.m. End: August 16, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CENTRE LANES CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO WARMAN RD
(Pavement markings)
Start: August 16, 7:00 p.m. End: August 17, 5:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE FROM WARMAN RD TO MILLAR AVE
(Pavement markings)
Start: August 16, 7:00 p.m. End: August 17, 5:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM BOYCHUK DR TO ARLINGTON AVE
(Pavement marking)
All intersections will remain open to traffic and business access will be maintained.
Start: August 15, 7:00 p.m. End: August 16, 5:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Bridge washing)
Start: August 15, 8:00 p.m. End: August 16, 6:00 a.m.

SPADINA CRES W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE A S TO AVE E S
(YXE Urban Games)
Start: August 15, 7:00 a.m. End: August 18, 6:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE N TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: August 19, 7:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE N TO CUMBERLAND AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in WB lanes
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: August 19, 7:00 a.m.

MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM STENSRUD RD TO BALTZAN BLVD
(Construction)
Start: August 8, 8:00 a.m. End: August 19, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(Construction)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: August 26, 5:00 p.m.

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM CRESCENT BLVD TO FAIRLIGHT DR
(Infrastructure improvements)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: August 28, 4:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR SB CURB LANE/RIGHT TURN LANE CLOSED FROM MCCRORY LINK TO FEDORUK DR
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: August 29, 4:30 p.m.

20TH ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT AVE E S
(Water main work)
Start: August 7, 7:00 a.m. End: September 3, 4:30 p.m.

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM OSBORNE ST TO WINDSOR ST
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 5:00 p.m.

KENSINGTON GATE INTERSECTION CLOSED AT NEAULT RD
(Construction)
Start: May 2, 9:00 a.m. End: August 31, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 5:00 p.m.

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.

When classes resume in September, Saskatoon Transit wants customers to know that buses will be busy and some buses during morning and afternoon rush hours may be too full to take on more passengers. If you plan to take the bus during morning or afternoon rush hour peak times, please plan ahead to avoid delays that can happen with peak riding times.

Trips on routes in all areas of the city can fill up; however, it’s typically felt on routes to and from high schools and post-secondary schools in the morning and afternoon. This was an issue during the previous school year and ridership is expected to be higher this fall, exacerbating the overcapacity issue.

“Saskatoon Transit is gearing up for its busiest season as students head back to class. Unfortunately, the demand is here faster than the new buses on order, so we expect buses to be very full with limited extra buses to add to service,” says Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “We apologize to customers who are affected and are committed to addressing the overcapacity routes as best we can with the limited options.”

All available buses are on the road and there may not be enough to meet the frequency or capacity needed on some routes to take everyone at peak times. The eight new buses arriving at the end of the year will help with some of the issues and Saskatoon Transit will be in a good position to meet the demand by the end of 2025 when the next order of 20 buses arrives.  

Where someone with a car may leave earlier to avoid rush-hour traffic, someone using public transit  may want to consider taking an earlier bus if possible, to avoid delays that can happen with everyone trying to get to work and school at the same time," Moellenbeck adds.

September is a busy time for Saskatoon Transit. “Be bus ready” for back-to-school and follow these tips for taking transit this September:

1. Download the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps and plan your September trips with the new fall schedule.
2. Check on options for routes, stops and times to get to your destination. If possible, an earlier bus might help avoid delays that can happen with peak riding times.
3. Be ready to hop on when the bus comes with your pass ready to scan. All riders are expected to pay bus fare.
4. Make space for others: Move to the back of the bus and lower your backpack.
5. If you can stand, please offer your seat to someone who isn’t as steady.

A 10-year fleet renewal funding plan was approved in 2023 to increase and improve the reliability of the fleet. Eight new buses will arrive this winter and another 20 are expected by the end of 2025, as the lead time on bus delivery can be up to 18 months. Saskatoon Transit made several changes to operations and maintenance to improve the overall service delivery following a 2022 City Auditor review.

Saskatoon Transit ridership continues to grow and is anticipated to match or surpass the 2019 peak of 13.2 million rides in 2024. Year-to-date ridership at July 31, 2024 is approximately 18% higher than July 31, 2023 year-to-date ridership.

Changes to the Accessible Parking Permit Program approved by City Council earlier this year will take effect on October 1, 2024. 

The Accessible Parking Permit Program is an optional program allowing users with a valid SaskAbilities placard to park for free in paid parking areas. The program also allows users to park in paid parking zones, loading zones, and on-street accessible parking zones for longer than the posted time limits.

“A review of the program was undertaken in consultation with users and stakeholder organizations. The review focused on modernizing the program while ensuring it continues to meet the needs of users,” says Matt Grazier, Director of Community Standards. “There is an opportunity for us to better promote the program and the benefits it can provide as well as enhance communication with users.”

Changes to the program include:

1. Enhanced communication with users – The City will continue to work with SaskAbilities to improve promotion of the program. Users may also sign up to receive emailed renewal notices and information about future changes to the program. More information about the program's benefits will also be provided to users when they purchase a parking permit starting October 1.
2. Fee and time limit change – The review concluded that the existing permit fees and time limits may no longer be appropriate. Two changes were approved for these items:
   1. Increasing permit fees through a phased-in approach
      1. Starting October 1, 2024, permit fees will be $60 annually
      2. Starting October 1, 2025, permit fees will be $100 annually
      3. Rationale - The user fees for the program have not been changed since 1981, when administrative costs were lower and on-street parking rates were $0.50/hour. Both parking rates and administrative costs have increased over time, requiring an increase in the permit fee. This may mean that the program is no longer cost-effective for some users who do not frequently park in paid parking zones.
      4. Users who are residents of Saskatoon and qualify as low income may apply to receive a permit at a 50 per cent discounted rate.
   2. Reducing time limits from 72 hours to four hours
      1. Rationale - On-street parking is a public asset that serves the needs of a variety of user groups. The review concluded that a 4-hour time restriction was more appropriate to meet the intent of on-street parking. The program has historically allowed users to park on the street for up to 72 hours in paid parking areas. During the review, it was generally accepted that 72 hours is excessive in areas with high demand for on-street parking. Paid parking zones are established to encourage vehicle turnover helping to ensure that adequate supply of on-street parking is available for those who need it.

Questions or comments about the upcoming changes can be directed to parking.permits@saskatoon.ca.

Registration for the City’s Fall recreation programs begins Sunday, August 18, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. by logging into to your account on Leisure Online at leisureonline.saskatoon.ca, or by calling 306-975-2800.

Registration for private and semi-private swim lessons and multi-level lessons for families will open on Monday, August 19.  Registrations are accepted by phone only. Call the Leisure Centre that you are interested in taking lessons at to register.

Opening night for registration is very busy, and the City sincerely thanks residents for their patience. While additional online and telephone resources are in place to make the process run as smoothly as possible, there will be many people registering at once.

We recommend having a list of alternative options ready in case you do not get into your first choice. Join the wait list - every full program has an online wait list and new classes may be created if there is enough demand. Lastly, consider other nearby Leisure Centres if your preferred location isn't available.

When registering with Leisure Online, please note the following:

• Do not use Internet Explorer to complete transactions. Compatible web browsers include Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Ensure your web browser is up to date. Online transactions are not supported using a device or operating system older than Windows 10, Mac OS 10.14, Android 9, iPhone 8.

• Visa and MasterCard are accepted forms of payment for online transactions.  Phone to make a payment with American Express. Cash and debit cards are accepted in person.
   
• Leisure program registrations processed through Leisure Online are charged an additional $1.00 (+GST) convenience fee on each program registration. This fee was introduced March 1, 2024 after City Council approved the fee during the 2024-25 budget process in November of 2023.
   
• From 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, images will also be removed from the registered programs page to improve the load time of the page when a high volume of users are on the site at the same time.
   
• Ensure you have an active Leisure Online registration account and know your username and password prior to registration night.  If you are unable to access your account, call any Leisure Centre to have your account reset.

The Fall Leisure Guide, which is Saskatoon’s go-to source for fitness programs, recreational activities and arts and culture opportunities for all ages and abilities, was released on August 2. It is available online at saskatoon.ca/leisureguide or for pick up at any City leisure facility, Saskatoon library or over 120 retail locations throughout Saskatoon and limited surrounding areas that the StarPhoenix is sold.