Saskatoon Roads & Infrastructure

[North_Regina_Boy]

Saskatoon Road Construction / Infrastructure:

List below of Current and Completed Projects

Central Ave (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...onalStudy.aspx

Circle Drive South Project (Completed Sep 2013)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...thProject.aspx

Boychuck Highway 16 Interchange (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...terchange.aspx

North Commuter Parkway Project (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...erParkway.aspx

Highway 7 / 14 Interchange (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...terchange.aspx

McCormand Highway 5 Interchange (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...terchange.aspx

Highway 11 Stonebridge Overpass (Partial Design Council Approved, Construction Expected 2014)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...terchange.aspx

Traffic Bridge (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...ntProject.aspx

Idylwyld and Circle Drive Interchange Improvements (Council Approved)

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...riveStudy.aspx

New Neighborhoods:

Evergreen:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...Evergreen.aspx

Rosewood:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/.../Rosewood.aspx

Kensington:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...ensington.aspx

Aspen Ridge:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...spenridge.aspx

Hampton Village:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/...20Village.aspx

[macca]

I can't think of anything more appropriately "Saskatoon" than having a thread dedicated to fantasy road construction.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by macca

I can't think of anything more appropriately "Saskatoon" than having a thread dedicated to fantasy road construction.

Well better to have it here where you can choose to ignore it rather then cluttering up the Saskatoon Construction Thread.

[macca]

Yes, I appreciate it.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Hypothetical Design Only

Here are the drawings I promised earlier. These are more detailed drawings with lanes and traffic patterns shown. Please feel free to ask questions / or make suggestions.

22nd Street Access, not much has changed however the SB Circle to EB 22nd Has changed, also there is now a dedicated exit lane for cars and trucks making a right to SB Circle from EB 22nd, also right turns are now controlled by a traffic light timed so that there is no impeding traffic. The lane that feeds the NB Circle Drive loop is now separate from the Circle Drive Southbound turn lane. Vehicles going from WB 22nd to NB Circle Drive can no longer cut across to get to Laurier. Same with people attemping to do the same from Clancy across to 22nd ramp. Pedestrian crossing have been turned into overpasses to maintain cycling and pedestrian access.



Neighborhood access, Orange for North of 22nd / Purple for South of 22nd. Also fairlight drive now gives direct access to SB Circle without having to go to 22nd, lessening traffic on 22nd. Traffic can continue NB on the access ramp while vehicles on Laurier and Clancy make left turns to join flow of traffic. Similar to how Circle Drive operates now. Three lanes each way between Laurier and 33rd to facilitate proper merging.



The overpasses that allow neighborhood access.



ROAD CONSTRUCTION STAGING:

PRE-STAGE - RELOCATE POWER AND UTILITY LINES

STAGE 1 – CONSTRUCT NEW ROAD BRIDGE OVER 22ND
STAGE 2 – CONSTRUCT LANES EAST OF LAURIER CONNECT TO CIRCLE DRIVE NORTH OF LAURIER AND CONNECT TO NEW BRIDGE / CONSTRUCT NEW RAMP FROM WB 22ND TO NB CIRCLE
STAGE 3 – CONSTRUCT DETOUR AT CLANCY
STAGE 4 – BUILD NEW OVERPASS AT CLANCY / AFTER COMPLETE REMOVE DETOUR CONNECT NEW ROADWAYS WITH EXISTING RAMPS / CONSTRUCT FAIRLIGHT DR TO CIRCLE DRIVE SB CONNECTION

**CLANCY DR FULLY OPEN TO TRAFFIC**

STAGE 5 – REMOVE RAMP FROM FAIRMONT TO 22ND CREATE NEW RIGHT TURN LANE FROM EB 22ND TO SB CIRCLE
STAGE 6 – CLOSE CIRCLE DRIVE TRAFFIC TO LAURIER OPEN RAMPS AND DIRECT NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC TO NEW 22ND STREET BRIDGE AND TO NEW BYPASS RAMP SB CIRCLE DRIVE TRAFFIC DETOURED TO CONFEDERATION DR TO EXISTING SOUTHBOUND CIRCLE DRIVE RAMP
STAGE 7 – BUILD OVERPASS AT LAURIER

**LAURIER DR FULLY OPEN TO TRAFFIC**

STAGE 8 – COMPLETE FINAL TIE-INS
STAGE 9 – CONSTRUCT PEDESTRIAN OVERPASSES

[saskatoonborn]

Hey I love the drawings and the plan in general. This is great work. Have you considered using laurier the EB acess for 22nd. I was just curious as to your reason for using fairlight?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by saskatoonborn

Hey I love the drawings and the plan in general. This is great work. Have you considered using laurier the EB acess for 22nd. I was just curious as to your reason for using fairlight?

Thanks for the comments. I think that both can be used for EB 22nd Access. Reasoning for Fairlight is because it is more familiar for people to take that turn to get to where they are going. But to label both as 22nd EB Access would be a good idea, and would lessen the traffic volume for people going EB 22nd to NB / SB Circle Drive.

[wacko]

I'm from Regina, and I don't often drive elsewhere in the province. However, the last three days I was driving in and through Saskatoon for work, so I thought I'd pass on my observations.

Getting to the downtown office was easy via the College Drive bridge (which I've since learned is actually called University Bridge). However, turning right onto Idylwyld from 25th Street was awkward, since I had to watch for potential trains as well as oncoming traffic, while taking care not to stay on the tracks. Railway tracks simply shouldn't ever be located that close to a road, especially at an intersection.

Coming back from Lloydminster yesterday, I thought I'd try out Circle Drive West. Firstly though, I have to state that the intersection with Idylwyld North remains the clusterfuck it's always been. Maybe it was the time of day (about 12:30 pm) but there was quite a number of vehicles waiting to turn left or right onto Circle Drive. By far the best solution would be for the city to expropriate all surrounding land, raze everything, and construct a proper interchange from scratch, but of course that will never happen.

Once past the lights, Circle Drive West was actually pretty nice to drive on, breezing along at 90 kph. Though I must ask, what's up with the at-grade intersection at Laurier Drive? The bends in the vicinity of 11th Street were also rather interesting.

After Valley Road, a third lane appears, which might be somewhat confusing for out-of-towners. They might decide to move right to allow faster traffic to go by, only to later find they have to move back left, and then left again to stay on Circle Drive to Hwy 11. From a traffic flow perspective, it would've been better to have two lanes continuing east with a seamless connection with Circle Drive East, while building another full interchange with Idylwyld. But of course that's a pipe dream also.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by wacko

I'm from Regina, and I don't often drive elsewhere in the province. However, the last three days I was driving in and through Saskatoon for work, so I thought I'd pass on my observations.

Getting to the downtown office was easy via the College Drive bridge (which I've since learned is actually called University Bridge). However, turning right onto Idylwyld from 25th Street was awkward, since I had to watch for potential trains as well as oncoming traffic, while taking care not to stay on the tracks. Railway tracks simply shouldn't ever be located that close to a road, especially at an intersection.

Coming back from Lloydminster yesterday, I thought I'd try out Circle Drive West. Firstly though, I have to state that the intersection with Idylwyld North remains the clusterfuck it's always been. Maybe it was the time of day (about 12:30 pm) but there was quite a number of vehicles waiting to turn left or right onto Circle Drive. By far the best solution would be for the city to expropriate all surrounding land, raze everything, and construct a proper interchange from scratch, but of course that will never happen.

Once past the lights, Circle Drive West was actually pretty nice to drive on, breezing along at 90 kph. Though I must ask, what's up with the at-grade intersection at Laurier Drive? The bends in the vicinity of 11th Street were also rather interesting.

After Valley Road, a third lane appears, which might be somewhat confusing for out-of-towners. They might decide to move right to allow faster traffic to go by, only to later find they have to move back left, and then left again to stay on Circle Drive to Hwy 11. From a traffic flow perspective, it would've been better to have two lanes continuing east with a seamless connection with Circle Drive East, while building another full interchange with Idylwyld. But of course that's a pipe dream also.

Nice to see another well thought out perspective, I'll take the opportunity to comment on your points:

As for at grade rail crossing, well that certainly is undesirable, especially at an intersection. Grade separation was not in the budget so the transportation planning group spent some time determining the best alignment for this intersection - either way the rail line posed a major dilemna. I think the final location is a bit of an experiment and I think it will need tweaking in the years to come, but the rail line will be there for a long time.

Interchange improvements at Idylwyld Dr N is a priority for the city, last I heard they are planning on turning that into a single point intersection in the not so distant future - appropriating the adjacent parcels is likely not in the cards (budget).

I agree that the at grade intersections along Circle Dr W are problematic. They are also largely unnecessary, but removal of left turns would divert that traffic to 11th St and Confederation Dr. The interchange at Confed is a bit of a mess so that will be a bit of a nightmare. There is a planned overpass at Airport Dr - once all these traffic lights are removed Circle Dr W will flow very well.

As to the curves near 11th st, that is what happens when you have to route around existing infrastructure, but atleast they were able to separate the grade of the rail lines there.

As for the interchange of Circle Dr S and Idylwyld, it is a bit of a mess and it is not long enough of a stretch for proper weaving, but at some point 4 lanes of traffic must reduce to two, I agree that if a WB lane off Circle Dr flew over and connected to NB Idylwyld Dr it would make for a contiguous flow, however if drivers have a difficulty with that location already, it would mean that a lot of people would be unwittingly getting headed towards downtown (like downtown needs more bad drivers!).

[wacko]

Thanks for the explanations, that helps to know what's going on.

I actually used to live in Saskatoon for two years, but that was well before I started driving. However, I can empathize with Saskatonians' frustrations over the at-grade commercial access along Circle Drive North, which really slows down travel. Hope we in Regina aren't about to make similar dumb mistakes by adding more at-grade access points along 9th Ave N as development moves west.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by wacko

Thanks for the explanations, that helps to know what's going on.

I actually used to live in Saskatoon for two years, but that was well before I started driving. However, I can empathize with Saskatonians' frustrations over the at-grade commercial access along Circle Drive North, which really slows down travel. Hope we in Regina aren't about to make similar dumb mistakes by adding more at-grade access points along 9th Ave N as development moves west.

Yes that would be an incredibly DUMB thing to do. It should (after the west bypass is finished) by finished as a limited access from Pasqua to the WRB. With interchanges at Pasqua, McIntosh, McCarthy, Courtney and Pinky.

[Arts]

Originally Posted by wacko

Thanks for the explanations, that helps to know what's going on.

I actually used to live in Saskatoon for two years, but that was well before I started driving. However, I can empathize with Saskatonians' frustrations over the at-grade commercial access along Circle Drive North, which really slows down travel. Hope we in Regina aren't about to make similar dumb mistakes by adding more at-grade access points along 9th Ave N as development moves west.

As a saskatonian that lived on the west side of Regina for four years, I agree, Circle Dr N is a mess, it is too bad our city lacked the forethought to prevent it. Hopefully having a commuter bridge north of there, and possibly even an additional perimeter hwy bridge in the distant future will help alleviate the traffic woes there. It would be a pity if planners or council in Regina allowed local and driveway access to 9th ave/Ring rd.

[Treesplease]

I was also in Saskatoon recently and took South Circle a couple times - once was actually on purpose. I was in Stonebridge and got back on circle south via Clarence and had no intention of going over the new bridge and way around the west side but that's were I went - can't get to Idylwyld north from the Clarence interchange - now I know. The new south route is really nice and I can see the frustration with the at grade crossings for Clancy and Laurier but it is easy to see that they won't be around for long (maybe). One thing I found odd was the underpasses under the rail crossings at 11th - they are two lanes wide with a two lane road underneath. I would have thought a little forward planning might have made the openings at least wide enough to accommodate a 3 lane road in the future but nope - two lanes is all it will ever be. How much traffic will valley road ever feed onto the third lane of the bridge? Maybe if it someday becomes the effective bypass for Highway 7?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Treesplease

I was also in Saskatoon recently and took South Circle a couple times - once was actually on purpose. I was in Stonebridge and got back on circle south via Clarence and had no intention of going over the new bridge and way around the west side but that's were I went - can't get to Idylwyld north from the Clarence interchange - now I know. The new south route is really nice and I can see the frustration with the at grade crossings for Clancy and Laurier but it is easy to see that they won't be around for long (maybe). One thing I found odd was the underpasses under the rail crossings at 11th - they are two lanes wide with a two lane road underneath. I would have thought a little forward planning might have made the openings at least wide enough to accommodate a 3 lane road in the future but nope - two lanes is all it will ever be. How much traffic will valley road ever feed onto the third lane of the bridge? Maybe if it someday becomes the effective bypass for Highway 7?

You can go Northbound Idylwyld from Clarence, just stay in right lane and follow it around the back of the Circle Drive overpass.

Yes maybe 3-lanes under 11th would of been good but at least with 2 (each way) it should be good for many years (although I agree adding space for a 3rd would of been advantageous)

And yes one can only hope Laurier and Clancy will be closed sooner as oppose to later (or a proposal such as the one I drew above) is done.

And yes I think the Valley Road interchange could easily be a terminus of the Saskatoon Truck limited access Bypass in the future (if done correctly) That would give trucks traveling on 16, 7, 14 a way south and around. Instead of a truck heading WB 16 to have to go all the way North and around it could just stay south of the city and get there quickly (saving time and money)

[Treesplease]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

You can go Northbound Idylwyld from Clarence, just stay in right lane and follow it around the back of the Circle Drive overpass.

Hey - I think I know the road you are talking about - I thought that was a temp during construction only? I will check next time. Too bad the google map isn't quite up to date - I blame google as opposed to poor signage or my ability to read signs.

[Echoes]

I think the columnist's argument would have been stronger if he had said that traffic congestion will in fact be eased in the near to mid-term, but over the long-term with continued population growth the number of vehicles on the road will grow commensurately and offset the benefits of the added road/bridge capacity.

The thrust of what he is trying to say is that the addition of the bridge and roadways supports and encourages the continued widespread use of the private vehicle for city travel. Continuing to build roads and bridges does not provide a dis-incentive to keep driving and does little to push people from their cars and into other forms of transportation. The bridge supports the status quo, which he has an issue with (I have an issue with the status quo too). That said, I do believe that this bridge is a necessary link in the city's overall roadway system given our growth pattern, and as much as I would like to see the City start providing an efficient and effective transit system (the ultimate solution, IMO), it's just not a realistic option for most at this point.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Highways ministry eyes west-end bypass around Saskatoon
Saskatoon, Corman Park, Province splitting bill for study

Reported by François Biber
First Posted: Sep 30, 2014 4:41pm | Last Updated: Sep 30, 2014 4:49pm

Quote:
Frustrated truckers driving through Saskatoon may see some relief – as the Ministry of Highways mulls over the idea of a new bypass around the city's west end.

“The purpose of the route would be to provide another north-south connection through the city and Corman Park for vehicle traffic and, specifically, truck traffic,” ministry spokesperson Doug Wakabayashi said.

In partnership with the City of Saskatoon and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park, the ministry is hiring a consultant to look at the possibility of having a bypass road connecting Highway 16 northwest of Saskatoon down to Circle Drive South.

Wakabayashi said the consultant will identify options where that north-south road could go in an effort to reduce truck traffic through the city and headaches for truckers and other drivers.

Terry Siemens, president of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association said anything to get truck traffic out of the inner-city is a plus, adding truckers are begging for a road allowing them to bypass Saskatoon streets.

“Trucks want to stay on the outside. They don't want to sit in traffic or cause traffic jams so being able to go to the west side of town and head to the north (or south) end of the city on the outskirts is beneficial for all parties,” Siemens said.

From a trucker’s perspective, Siemens said rush-hour traffic in front of Avenue C and Circle Drive is treacherous and if drivers could avoid the area, they would.

“I know trucks are lined up at the Travelodge … you can be sitting at the light for half hour just to get onto Circle Drive,” he said, adding once on Circle Drive, truckers tend to stay on par with other cars.

“Getting on and off Circle Drive is where all the congestion is. Especially in the north end of the city where many of the trucking businesses are based.”

Neault Road, formerly known as Dalmeny Road, could be one option for the connector. Siemens said improvements would have to be made on the road to ensure it can hold the traffic it’s meant to.

[....]
http://newstalk650.com/story/highway...skatoon/419900

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Highways ministry eyes west-end bypass around Saskatoon
Saskatoon, Corman Park, Province splitting bill for study

Reported by François Biber
First Posted: Sep 30, 2014 4:41pm | Last Updated: Sep 30, 2014 4:49pm

http://newstalk650.com/story/highway...skatoon/419900

And I point to a drawings I had done August 2013, with nearly exactly what they are talking about.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...89847&page=258

"Until then Both Circle South Bridge routing and Circle North Bridge Routing from the north are both bottlenecks. Get rid of ONE of them. And closing two access (partially) would make it an easy way to fix a lot of issues.

ALSO building a connection with a 4 lane highway from the new Valley road interchange to HWY 7 then North on Dalmany road to hwy 16 with an interchange at 22nd would allow for a truck bypass without the need for the massive expenditure of the North Perimeter for the time being. Allowing this would get trucks off Circle North and off 22nd making navigation better for all.

Also with that they must build at the same time the overpass at Boychuck. Voila truck bypass complete! Amazing how not much thinking can save you hundreds of millions eh? Humm.

For this routing what would need to be done:

- Interchange at Boychuck - $35M
- 4 lane from Valley to Hwy 7 - (2M / 1.6km) 4.8km = $9.6M
- Interchange from New link to CN yards and city yards $15-20M
- Interchange at Hwy 7 - 35M
- Completion of Interchange at 22nd - $10-15M
- 4 lane from 22nd to Hwy 16 - 15km = $19M
- Interchange at Dalmany Rd and Hwy 16 = $35M

Total = Roughly $165-200M ($750M-1B for North Perimeter) Allowing for design and environmental impact studies.

Secondary benefits to this routing:

- Can extend north of Hwy 16 to complete North Perimeter
- Trucks now have direct connection from Hwys 7 and 14 to Hwys 11 and 16 without having to go through city and can travel at 90 km/h or faster
- Trucks now have easy access to North Industrial and South Industrial areas along 11th st and South CN Industrial Via 11th street interchange and 51st ave interchange.
- Direct access to CN / City Management Yards
- Allowance to NW industrial area via interchange at Beam Road
- Allowance for 33rd St Interchange
- Allowance for Claypool Dr Interchange
- North Perimeter doesn't allow for current trucking concerns for highways 7 and 14. This does.

There is my rant enjoy.

Here is a picture of the routing that this solution would make the truck bypass:



"

A lot less money to upgrade existing roads and tie into existing infrastructure to get MAJOR headaches in travel remedied. I wonder if they (the ministry) are seeing my drawings?

Extend it around to highways 12 and 11 on the north side. And you don't even have to build a new North Highway bridge for a while either.

[North_Regina_Boy]

City Short Lists Possible Bridge Building Candidates

Written by Vanese M. Ferguson, saskatoonhomepage.ca
Friday, 03 October 2014

The city has managed to short list the teams for the north commuter parkway and the new traffic bridge.

The Bridge City Infrastructure Group, the Bridge City Partners and Graham Commuter Partners are the three finalists after the city put out a Request for Qualifications.

[........]

Read more:
http://www.saskatoonhomepage.ca/city...ates/itemid_21

Credit: Brutopian

[North_Regina_Boy]

Actually there are interchange formats that could fit into the existing ROW (Right of Way) for Circle drive North, however, it would be an amazing high cost. Not to mention a congestion nightmare.

Example:





Speeds would likely have to be 60-70km/h but you wouldn't have to stop at traffic lights.