Major Saskatoon roadwork projects set to slow traffic this summer

Roadwork is ramping up across Saskatoon, with traffic slowdowns and detours expected on several major roads this summer. Stacey Hein reports.

Roadwork is ramping up across Saskatoon, with traffic slowdowns and detours expected on several major roads this summer.

Upgrades are planned on sections of Circle Drive, College Drive, Idylwyld Drive and 22nd Street West.

“This work extends the life of our roads and improves driving conditions, and in some busy areas, it’s being done at night to help ease daytime traffic,” Matt Jurkiewicz, director of construction and design for the city, told reporters Thursday.

Jurkiewicz said planning for some larger projects begins as early as the previous summer, with the city aiming to reduce traffic disruptions where possible.

“We try to do the best that we can, but it’s unavoidable in some instances,” he said.

Overnight roadwork is scheduled on Idylwyld Drive between 20th and 25th streets and between 39th and 51st streets. However, Jurkiewicz noted there may still be prep work during the day.

“The actual resurfacing of the road will be completed at night, but there’s often a bunch of prep work that has to happen before we do the resurfacing. So that could happen during the day in anticipation of the work,” he said.

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Overnight roadwork is also scheduled on 22nd Street between Idylwyld Drive and Avenue P and between Avenue H and Idylwyld Drive, as well as on Circle Drive between College and Attridge drives and between the Gordie Howe Bridge and Idylwyld Drive.

New water and sewer infrastructure is also being installed in the Marquis Industrial area near Silverwood Heights, with phased detours and road closures in place along Wanuskewin Road between Arthur Rose Avenue and Highway 11.

Meanwhile, traffic restrictions remain in place on College Drive and the University Bridge as work continues on two separate projects: the $50-million Link project preparing College Drive for the city’s future rapid transit program and a $1.5-million repair project on and under the University Bridge.

Jurkiewicz said the bridge repairs remain on schedule.

“Currently, it is going to plan. Access to the structures and arches is complete and the handrails and scaffolding were installed to reach the repair areas,” he said, adding crews are continuing concrete repairs on the bridge.

The bridge is expected to reopen to one lane in each direction by mid-June, while construction along College Drive will continue throughout the summer.

Watermain replacement projects are also set to begin in eight residential neighbourhoods, including Blairmore, Buena Vista, Caswell Hill, Haultain, North Park, Nutana, Richmond Heights and Riversdale.

Jurkiewicz also highlighted the city’s Respect Work Zones campaign, which urges drivers to slow down and avoid distractions to help protect workers and motorists travelling through construction areas.