A recommendation to build an overpass at 8th street and the CKCP rail was well received by Saskatoon’s transportation committee with very little discussion.
Director of Technical Services Dan Willems presented the recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting.
“The overpass option raises 8th Street over the rail line and avoids major utility and rail relocation requirements to construct it, although it does introduce additional visual and noise impacts to the surrounding area. The total cost estimate for the overpass option is $54 million.”
This is roughly $10.6 million lower than the underpass option. The overpass option would also reduce flooding.
He assured that the project would be funded by developer contributions and an area-specific prepaid levy, meaning there will be no mill rate impact. Access to Wess Road from 8th Street will be permanently closed with both options, but the corridor would continue to be accessible for local access via Taylor Street.
Residents in the Montgomery neighbourhood have raised a similar issue to City Council regarding the rail track crossing on 11th Street, as the train completely cuts them off from Emergency Services. That suggestion has seemingly gone nowhere, and Committee’s eagerness to accept this proposal may pique the interest of west-side residents.
The recommendation was carried unanimously, and it will now be put before City Council for further approval.
In other roadway-related news, the same committee has voted against the complete reconstruction of the intersection at 51st Street and Millar Avenue.
The project was brought forward to combat overcapacity, turning issues, and spatial inadequacies at the intersection. The recommended upgrades would include left turn bays, new raised medians, shorter queuing, and a wider roadway on Millar.
However, businesses along these corridors would be impacted quite significantly. For example, the McDonald’s and Tim Hortons/Wendy’s would not be accessible via left hand turns off of 51st Street. Councilor Robert Pearce shared his thoughts.
“In terms of a fast-food restaurant, whether it be McDonald’s or Tim Hortons, if I can’t make a left-hand turn into it, I’m just going to go somewhere else to make it more convenient for myself. I’m really hesitant to vote in favour of this.”
Councilors Donauer, Dubois, Ford, and Mayor Block agreed, shutting the project down. Councilor Randy Donauer motioned for administration to engage with impacted businesses before the project is considered again.
The committee also deferred a recommendation from administration that would see shared use pathways implemented on both sides of Millar Avenue between 43rd Street and Marquis Drive.
The four-kilometre project would cost roughly $8 million, connecting 16 transit stops, and providing cyclists and pedestrians with a means of getting to and from work.
Councilor Robert Pearce asked Transportation Director Jay Magus how much foot traffic the North Industrial area currently sees.
Magus answered that “There is no place to walk, unless you’re cutting through parking lots. It would also be very uncomfortable to ride your bike on Millar…We didn’t do any counts, because we assume there’s very little activity.”
Somewhat shocked, Pearce replied “Who is this benefitting if we do it?”
For this reason, among others, the recommendation was voted down by committee, but a motion for administration to engage with business owners along the corridor and report back was approved.
