Saskatoon Construction II

[Crisis]

I'm confused regarding the the concern about the lane divider Jersey barriers causing a deadly accident. I would have thought that vehicles trying to cut across 3 lanes to turn left onto Confederation northbound would be at far higher risk than that caused by the presence of the barriers.

So far, I've only experienced this from the Fairmont onto 22nd approach, but please explain to me what is the concern with the barriers.

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Crisis

I'm confused regarding the the concern about the lane divider Jersey barriers causing a deadly accident. I would have thought that vehicles trying to cut across 3 lanes to turn left onto Confederation northbound would be at far higher risk than that caused by the presence of the barriers.

So far, I've only experienced this from the Fairmont onto 22nd approach, but please explain to me what is the concern with the barriers.

I believe it is people who are unfamiliar with Saskatoon or the west end and won't see the barriers in time during a late lane change and either A hit them head on, or B swerve into the vehicles next to them causing a two vehicle or chain reaction collision.

Also with winter conditions the chance of people sliding into them at a greater speed is greatly increased.

[Crisis]

This isolated curb lane is an added lane that doesn't exist back at Diefenbaker. I'd assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the barriers were in place at the beginning of the curb lane a couple hundred metres to the west of the Fairmont access and to hit them head on would require someone driving on the shoulder of the road. The barriers don't suddenly appear in the middle of the curb lane, do they?

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Crisis

This isolated curb lane is an added lane that doesn't exist back at Diefenbaker. I'd assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that the barriers were in place at the beginning of the curb lane a couple hundred metres to the west of the Fairmont access and to hit them head on would require someone driving on the shoulder of the road. The barriers don't suddenly appear in the middle of the curb lane, do they?

They are between the lane that Fairmont comes onto 22nd st and the next lane over. If you are coming West to East and wanting to either take the loop NB or Ramp SB on Circle yes it quite an impediment.

[nook]

Judging by how they've left that one area by the Airport Drive/Circle intersection empty for so long, you can tell that they've left the option for an interchange there.

And maybe judging by the miserable shape the "on ramp" is from Circle to Airport Drive, too. No sense in fixing it (for 20 years) if you're going to replace it anyways... right?!

[skSK]

The discussion about the College-McOrmond interchange got me thinking about a future growth map that I looked at on the city's website quite a while ago. I could swear that I saw an asterisk saying "interchange modifications" or something to that effect at the College-McKercher interchange. (Now, of course, the map that I thought had that note has changed, but nevertheless here it is: http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...s/Mapping/Wall_maps/Projected_Growth.pdf). I wondered why McKercher never continued over (or under) the railway tracks/yard at Sutherland to intersect Kerr (and possibly Berini). If you look at Google maps you can clearly see land set aside for a possible extension of McKercher (basically right in between Forest Grove and Arbor Creek). In my mind, that would be a great connection to make, which would diffuse the traffic coming into and out of those neighbourhoods. I'm sure that was the intent years ago but I just wonder why this has disappeared from future plans (maybe it would be obsolete, maybe there were issues with CP, maybe Berini or connecting roads in Forest Grove/Arbor Creek wouldn't be able to handle increased traffic).

The link I've provided must be fairly new, since Aspen Ridge is shown. In addition, the yet-to-be-built neighbourhood of Elk Point appears north of Kensington. I really wish they would stop naming neighbourhoods after non-existent geological features (although I guess Aspen Ridge may have a more legitimate claim given it's getting pretty close to the old glacial lake ridge).

[Morogolus]

I think that would seriously expensive to traverse all those tracks. There's an entire rail yard there not just one line.

Just a random thought I was driving down Preston going south of College. Seeing all that completely open land right in the middle of a city off a major freeway close to everything made me think 'man what a great spot for a stadium.'

One can dream

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by skSK

The discussion about the College-McOrmond interchange got me thinking about a future growth map that I looked at on the city's website quite a while ago. I could swear that I saw an asterisk saying "interchange modifications" or something to that effect at the College-McKercher interchange. (Now, of course, the map that I thought had that note has changed, but nevertheless here it is: http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Comm...s/Mapping/Wall_maps/Projected_Growth.pdf). I wondered why McKercher never continued over (or under) the railway tracks/yard at Sutherland to intersect Kerr (and possibly Berini). If you look at Google maps you can clearly see land set aside for a possible extension of McKercher (basically right in between Forest Grove and Arbor Creek). In my mind, that would be a great connection to make, which would diffuse the traffic coming into and out of those neighbourhoods. I'm sure that was the intent years ago but I just wonder why this has disappeared from future plans (maybe it would be obsolete, maybe there were issues with CP, maybe Berini or connecting roads in Forest Grove/Arbor Creek wouldn't be able to handle increased traffic).

If I recall correctly, that area was described as a fire break by the city, back when an irate Arbor Creeker was claiming the frogs/cattails were lowering her property values. But yeah, it would be nice to have a crossing there. That way one could avoid illegally cutting through underneath the College Drive overpass rather than go kilometres out of the way. One of the Traffic Safety Committee reports to council in the last year had an item in there about a footbridge over the train yards, but I don't think it got much play.

In casual discussions with city officials over the Central Ave facelift, cost of moving the Sutherland train yard would be close to if not over a billion. CP isn't interested in moving anyways, I imagine, why spend money if they don't have to. See also: at-grade intersections.

[yoyoman]

I thought the same thing when I first saw the barriers on 22nd at Fairmont... Someone is going to die here. :-(

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by djforsberg

Really? CP recently relocated their intermodal facility in Regina from downtown to the Global Transportation Hub. The cost to build the new facility was $50 million (ref).

You're correct there DJ however, the cost of moving CP out of Sutherland would also include new track right of way to get CP out of downtown. My guess would be similar to CN south of the city. New yards and a new river bridge. Not to mention land purchases. So likely a total combined of $750M-1.25B

Would be nice, however unlikely, and very costly.

[Jezza]

Yeah, I don't know how much it would be to just back the train yards up out of the city and continue using the Sutherland/train bridge/downtown line. I didn't ask the city guy for a detailed cost breakdown, and this was a couple years ago so I could be wrong on the pricetag. Anyway, they didn't sound optimistic about it happening anytime soon. Look at how much fun they're having with the new signals etc on 25th. We're not super high on CP's priority list, I think.

[Echoes]

U of S signs agreement for hotel development in College Quarter

On Campus News, November 7, 2013



Written By Colleen MacPherson

Construction is expected to begin in the middle of 2014 on a 203-room hotel project in the University of Saskatchewan’s College Quarter.

University officials have signed an agreement for a long-term land lease with Saskatoon-based P.R. Hotels Ltd. for a dual-brand hotel development just east of the Stadium Parkade on College Drive. The complex will combine a Holiday Inn Express and a Staybridge Suites in one building to offer accommodation to user groups associated with the university—visiting lecturers and scientists, meeting attendees, parents, athletes—as well as to the general public. Other potential users include federal facilities located on campus, Innovation Place tenants and Royal University Hospital.

“This is very exciting,” said Judy Yungwirth, director of corporate administration. “This allows the university to realize the first part of its vision for services in College Quarter and that’s made this project a lot of fun to work on.”

The 10-storey dual-wing building will occupy the northeast quadrant of College Quarter. The Holiday Inn Express wing will feature mid- to upper-scale rooms while the Staybridge Suites wing will offer lodging with kitchen facilities in each suite for long-stay guests although the suites can be rented by the night.

Under the terms of the agreement, P.R. Hotels Ltd. will take responsibility for all of the capital and operating costs of the project in return for the lease on the land. Yungwirth stressed no university resources will be used in the development “but we will benefit financially through the lease agreement and by filling the need for accommodation of this type on our campus.”

She declined to discuss the details of the land lease agreement citing confidentiality around business contracts.

[....]

http://words.usask.ca/news/2013/11/07/u-...or-hotel-development-in-college-quarter/

[drto]

Nice design but why only 10 stories? Seems adequate for the time being but the U of S and the city is growing so why not make it 15-20 floors?

[scotty c]

It'll be nice to see the hotel there it will really bring college quarter up to college drive. I'm curious as to what they're going to do about parking, they can't just have an open lot or else students will fill it up. It'll be interesting to see how they monitor that.

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by drto

Nice design but why only 10 stories? Seems adequate for the time being but the U of S and the city is growing so why not make it 15-20 floors?

Personally, I'd like to see hotels of that size downtown (which is not far from campus at all).

Originally Posted by scotty c

It'll be nice to see the hotel there it will really bring college quarter up to college drive. I'm curious as to what they're going to do about parking, they can't just have an open lot or else students will fill it up. It'll be interesting to see how they monitor that.

Good point!

[kalin_10]

Well.... looking at the rendering, let's hope they put some colour on the building. Don't think Saskatoon needs a second Highrise Correntional Facility (Holiday Inn and Suites on 22nd and Wall).

[North_Regina_Boy]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Personally, I'd like to see hotels of that size downtown (which is not far from campus at all).

Good point!

I would think it will have U/G parking. As they are going to need a deeper foundation anyway might as well add it in.

Originally Posted by kalin_10

Well.... looking at the rendering, let's hope they put some colour on the building. Don't think Saskatoon needs a second Highrise Correntional Facility (Holiday Inn and Suites on 22nd and Wall).

Well it has wood, which will give it a richer feeling then anything. Although curious as to the lack of Stone, the universities big want. Although looks like Children's Hospital will have less stone so maybe it's a new trend. Also the new Graduate House has less stone (but more brick)

[Echoes]

Originally Posted by North_Regina_Boy

Well it has wood, which will give it a richer feeling then anything. Although curious as to the lack of Stone, the universities big want. Although looks like Children's Hospital will have less stone so maybe it's a new trend. Also the new Graduate House has less stone (but more brick)

I like that some architectural diversity is being introduced to College Quarter. I love the university stonework, but not all modern buildings should be completely clad in it. Elements or complements of it will do. The new Health Sciences wings are good infusions of the old and the new.

With Graduate House and now this hotel, I see a modern (almost Scandinavian) theme emerging in the architecture of College Quarter.

[Crisis]

I went for a drive past there today and would like to say that I now agree with you. I'd incorrectly assumed that the barriers had started at the creation of the curb lane much further west along 22nd. To have lane demarcation of painted lines suddenly replaced by a concrete barrier is an accident waiting to happen. I understand what they were wanting to accomplish, but the execution of it resulted in a terribly dangerous installation.

[EpicPonyTime]

Originally Posted by Echoes

Good point!

Would not be surprised if they hatch a deal to use the stadium parkade for hotel visitors. I'd hate to see them do it since it would make the parking situation on campus worse for the students, but I think that'd be more viable to them than a new underground parkade.