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The City of Saskatoon has been performing extensive work this season to preserve existing infrastructure such as roadways, bridges, and water and sewer systems; and to construct new infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing city. Federal and provincial funding received by the City for infrastructure work has meant an increase in significant projects, which also means an increase in road restrictions. Inclement weather and other factors affecting construction have caused delays on some projects.

The following is an update on various significant construction projects. Please note that the schedules may change due to weather delays and/or unforeseen circumstances affecting construction.

1.         Circle Drive South Project
·         Construction of four interchanges, seven kilometres of freeway/express between Clarence Avenue and Clancy Drive (including a new bridge), four railway grade separations, sound attenuation walls, utility relocation, and pedestrian and cyclist facilities:
o   More work than anticipated will continue through the winter; 24-hour days are underway this week for earthwork
o   Completion scheduled for 2012
o   Project Update Hotline: 1-888-851-5303

2.         Idylwyld Freeway Overpass Rehabilitation
·         Rehabilitation of three twin overpass structures on Idylwyld Freeway:
o   Work started on June 24 and two of six overpasses now complete
o   Phase II underway
·         Traffic “switched” over to southbound lanes on September 3
o   Projected completion in late October

3.         Roadway Twinning
·         Wanuskewin Road – between Adilman Drive and 71^st Street
o   Phase I substantially complete with asphalt path on east side to be finished when soundwall complete
o   Southbound Phase II complete starting 200 meters south of Marquis Drive; remainder on schedule for completion by October 31
·         Boychuk Drive – between 8^th Street and Highway 16
o   Expect to complete twinning from 8^th Street to Taylor Street in 2010
o   Remainder of project to be completed in 2011

4.         Water Main/Sewer Main Rehabilitation
·         8^th Street – Lorne Avenue to Broadway Avenue
o   Lorne Avenue to Victoria Avenue now open
o   Victoria Avenue to Broadway Avenue expected to reopen by September 30

5.         Roadway Construction
·                                 Marquis Drive – four new lanes between Wanuskewin Drive and Millar Avenue
o   Will likely be 70-80% complete by October 31; contractor shooting for 100% completion by October 31
o   Opening of railway crossing dependent on installation of rail crossing system by CN Rail– realistically not until early 2011
·         McOrmond Drive – two new lanes between Nelson Road and Evergreen Boulevard
o   Completion should be by Monday, October 11

6.         Roadway Reconstruction
·         Lowe Road – upgrade from Nelson Road to Evergreen Boulevard
o   Re-scheduled to start in 2011 and completion by July 31, 2011
·         Briarwood Road - rehabilitation
o   Started August 23 with completion by September 30
·         Various locations of gravel street upgrades
o   Warburton Street – substantially complete
o   Lauriston Street – completion by September 10, 2010
o   Wheaton Avenue– scheduled to start mid-September with completion by October 31
o   Avenues O/M/18^th Street – Have not started yet; realistically won’t be complete until 2011
o   17^th Street, Avenue S to Avenue Q – Scheduled to start mid-September with completion by October 31
o   107^th Street – Phase II 20% complete; project completion by October 31

7.         Streetscaping
·         3rd Avenue – 20^th Street to 21^st Street
o   Began August 30, realistically 70-80% completion by October 31

8.         Sound Attenuation
·         Boychuk Drive – 8^th Street to Highway 16
o   Scheduled to start late September with completion scheduled for July 31, 2011
·         Circle Drive – Clarence Avenue to Preston Avenue
o   60% complete; 100% complete by October 31
o   Additional portion east of Circle Drive/Circle Interchange for completion by October 31

9.         25^th Street Extension
·         Water and sewer work to start in late 2010 with completion by July 2011
·         Roadways work to start in July 2011

10.       Lift Station, Forcemain, and Storage Tank Projects
·         Lift Station at Rotary Park
o   Construction of walls for building complete; installation of stairs and equipment underway; estimated completion in late October
·         Jasper Lift Station
o   Commission station October 31
·         Stonebridge Lift Station
o   Structure under construction; monitoring storm ponds in the area
o   Completion November 30
·         Fletcher Lift Station
o   Commission station mid-September
·         Borden Place Forcemain
o   Work has started on the roadway
·         Meighen Sanitary Storage Tank
o   Start end of September – high priority; completion by November
·         Hall Sanitary Storage Tank
o   Start early September; completion by November

11.       Land Development
·         Evergreen subdivision
o   Phase A roadways being paved; completion by October 31
o   Phase B roadways to be paved in 2011
·         Marquis Industrial
o   Water and sewer work complete in mid-September
o   Curbs 50% complete in Phase 4; excavating Phase 5
·         Hampton Village
o   Roadways to be completed in 2011

The nature and location of construction means that traffic will be disrupted. Where possible, major work involves traffic restrictions rather than complete roadway closures to limit the inconvenience to motorists. Residents are urged to check out local media for “Saskatoon At Work” road reports throughout the summer season. Traffic restrictions are also included on the City of Saskatoon website at www.saskatoon.ca under “Traffic Detours” on the home page, and are available on Twitter.

Motorists are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through construction areas, watch for work crews, and obey all detours, signs, and barriers.

The City of Saskatoon thanks residents for their patience and understanding during this very busy construction season.

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