SASKATOON - Saskatoon's most frequently used roads are set for significant upgrades this summer. The projects will resurface the westbound lanes of Circle Drive North from Millar Avenue to Alberta Avenue and Preston Avenue between Preston Crossing and 8th Street.
"Several areas of Preston Avenue are in rough shape and need new asphalt. We'll also get to Wanuskewin Road to resurface between 71st Street and Penner Road," said Transportation and Construction General Manager Terry Schmidt.
Many roads will be resurfaced entirely following primary water replacements. The decades-old water mains will be replaced with durable PVC piping in various areas of Saskatoon, including downtown.
"Downtown water main replacement work will happen in phases throughout the summer and fall to avoid closing several blocks simultaneously, starting with 22nd Street East between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue," said Schmidt
Approximately $67.19 million has been allocated for road and bridge construction and maintenance in 2023. One of the most extensive construction zones is already set up on the Circle Drive North Bridge, where crews have been working on a nine-month-long rehabilitation project for two months.
Furthermore, sidewalk repairs and annual street maintenance programs such as street sweeping, pothole and utility cut repairs and line painting are underway or about to start. This month, the Saskatoon Transit Downtown Terminal will undergo road and sidewalk work, and it will temporarily move to 3rd Avenue North, in front of City Hall, for about one week. Bus stop locations will be marked in advance.
Saskatoon Light & Power has already begun working downtown, upgrading the underground electrical vault on the west side of 2nd Avenue between 21st Street and 22nd Street. The work started in late April and is scheduled for completion by mid-June. This cornerstone project will allow SL&P to proceed with additional electrical renewal projects to update the downtown power infrastructure.
Although some street closures are due to construction, Schmidt reassured that downtown businesses would remain open and accessible by the sidewalk. "There will be pedestrian and traffic detours downtown and throughout the city all summer. We thank residents for their patience and ask everyone to respect work zones."
For more information on current and future construction, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
