Next steps will be discussed for three railway overpasses in Saskatoon, at Monday’s Transportation Committee meeting.  As part of the city’s Rail Relocation versus Grade Separation Feasibility Study, overpasses on Preston Avenue, 11 Street West and Marquis Drive are thought of as the least impactful locations out of 9 functional designs, across the city, introduced in 2018.

The estimated costs range from $23.1 million on Marquis, to $43.7 million on 11th Street West. A report from city administration suggests that grade separations like the overpasses could provide long-term financial benefits and savings for travel time, improved safety, avoided traffic emissions, and reduced vehicle operating costs. However, the report notes the locations listed could have challenges like effects to future development, construction disruption, visual changes to the neighbourhood and accessibility concerns for non-motorized road users.

In September, neither CN or CP rail expressed interest in an earlier proposed concept to provide a shared corridor for railway operations, adjacent and through the city.

If passed the three overpasses will be placed on the Saskatoon Transportation Strategy Infrastructure List and prioritized for further planning.

The other sites originally proposed where underpasses on 22nd Street West and Idylwyld Drive (at 25th Street West), as well as overpasses on Central Ave, 33rd Street West, 3rd Avenue North and 51st Street. The report says, while there would be benefits to have railway grade separation at these spots, a number of challenges including significant business disruption and private property impacts led city administration to ultimately recommend no further development at this time.