Substantial improvements have been made to Saskatoon’s road network in recent years, according to the City. Ensuring the infrastructure underneath the roads continues to last for years to come, is just as high on the priority list. In this construction season, the City will continue to push forward on replacing Saskatoon’s oldest water mains.
“We’ll be in several neighbourhoods to replace water mains that, in many cases, are more than 100 years old and have lead water service connections,” said Terry Schmidt, general manager of transportation and construction. “Our goal is to replace all outdated service connections in the city by 2026.”
For efficiency, water mains and service connections are replaced at the same time. The road is then completely resurfaced and repaved curb-to-curb and sidewalks are rehabilitated wherever necessary. Sections of Nutana East, Nutana West, Caswell Hill, 20th Street West, Montgomery, Riversdale and Ruth Street East are among the areas where this type of work will take place. Approximately 23-kilometers of water and sewer mains will be replaced or rehabilitated this year and 820 water and sewer service connections are being replaced.
Annual street maintenance activities such as pothole repair, line painting, and street sweeping are underway. The City has 165 lane kilometers of road construction on the 2021 schedule. Major projects will include resurfacing the east bound lanes of College Drive from Central Avenue to the City limits, rehabilitating the overpass at Circle Drive and 8th Street, and resurfacing 8th Street from Broadway Avenue to Lorne Avenue.
“We’re making great strides, thanks to City Council’s investment of approximately $63.5 million to make our streets, bridges, and sidewalks smoother, safer, and longer lasting,” said Schmidt. “We are also thankful for Gas Tax Fund dollars for water, stormwater, and wastewater projects as well as Municipal Economic Enhancement Program funds for road safety improvements, road rehabilitation, neighbourhood traffic safety upgrades, and sidewalk rehabilitation.”
With safety always at the forefront, the City is ensuring employees and contractors continue to adhere to COVID-19 protocols at all construction sites.
To stay informed and to learn more about construction projects throughout Saskatoon this year, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Header Image Credit: Michalkun.
