Warman work

Saskatoon commuters will soon face another traffic hurdle as Warman and Wanuskewin roads undergo four weeks of construction.

The $4.3-million project, part of a multi-year plan to improve major traffic routes from the north end to the city core, will provide commuters with a smooth asphalt surface, said Celene Anger, the city’s director of construction and design.

“We’ve done some pothole patching just to make it through until we could get this contract going,” she said, adding that putting off the work would mean “severe deterioration.”

The city has taken steps to try to keep traffic moving along the 14.4 kilometres of combined lanes of traffic.

Here’s a breakdown of the plan:

First phase

The first target is the northbound half of Wanuskewin Road between 51st Street and Marquis Drive. Crews will work on one lane at a time between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Second phase

Once that’s finished, work will start on Warman Road northbound and southbound between Primrose Drive and 51st Street.

Because Warman Road has shouldered much of the traffic that would normally use University Bridge and because it’s not too close to residential areas, that work will be done at night to keep daytime traffic moving.

Intersection

The most significant part of the plan, around the intersection of Warman Road and 51st Street, will be carried out on weekends.

Alternate routes

The city suggests drivers consider the following detours while work is underway:

■ Silverwood residents detour via Spadina Crescent or Russell Road;

■ North-end workers detour via Millar Avenue or Faithfull Avenue.

“We want to just thank everyone in the city of Saskatoon, thank you for your patience,” Anger said.

“We know there’s lots of projects going on and we really appreciate you guys rerouting your commute and carpooling and adjusting hours or whatever you need to do to make sure you get to work safely and in a timely manner.”