While contractors have been working year-round on the Saskatchewan Avenue project, mostly maintaining areas without pavement, the full project is soon to recommence. City Manager Nathan Peto says it's been challenging due to utility and drainage work with the freeze/thaw cycle.

"We definitely thank them for their partnership in keeping that site as good as possible during this challenging season. But we're into the last year of this three-year project. I think everyone's very excited to see the final product and we thank all for everyone's patient. But basically what you'll see in May is the road construction continue all the way to the end of where Elm Street is, but I think people would probably know That is where you enter into Co-op. This is a fairly major portion that we intend to finish by fall and then we'll have a complete Ave. which I think everyone will be very excited to see." 

He explains the largest difference we'll see upon finish is related to the long-time challenge of the gravel shoulders paved.

"Those paved shoulders, curbing, better lighting, but absolutely that I think people will notice is some of the enhanced beautification in terms of new trees and new planting. People will definitely notice by the end of the year how much more enjoyable the experience will be driving down Saskatchewan Ave."

Discussion was made about line painting at the last city council meeting, where one councillor said he witnessed four lanes of traffic going one way due to the confusion of not seeing the lines.

"Saskatchewan Avenue is the responsibility of the province. We have had discussions with the province and it's their intention in May to repaint the lines to provide additional clarity for people in terms of which lane they're in, where the turning lanes are, and how to just move down correctly down to Saskatchewan Ave."

He adds they've received plenty of positive feedback on the new look and design. 

"I think the one thing that people really were surprised is the additional lighting. There's a substantial lot of lighting put down Saskatchewan Avenue that really brightens up the area. Of course, remember that we did deal with for 60-plus years of those gravel shoulders that would get muddy and would be difficult for parking. People would actually get stuck in some of the business parking along the area and we're going to see the end of that by the end of the year. And, of course, the enhanced pedestrian experience in terms of the lanterns that are down and the active transportation pathway."

Peto says he believes people are really enjoying the full street in terms of access from cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and then, of course, the beautification measures. 

"I think you're really going to see those enhanced this year because you can finally get the plantings in and I'm really excited to see the final products." 

He adds with change , some always find it hard and submit complaints. 

"I think when you have an avenue that has been frankly wide open in terms of no medians, there was no real defined parking, I think anytime you change that and you add structure, people can have challenges with change. What I would say is that we've been trying our best to communicate the steps we've taken, why we're taking those steps, and really focus on the positives. I think the positives will definitely outweigh any of those things that may be seen as negatives."

He notes we can't forget that this was thanks to a lot of the city's partners with the federal government an the provincial government. It's allowed them to financially move forward.

"It's a massive project for our municipality. It really is kind of a once-in-a-generation project to provide that improvement right from downtown all the way up Saskatchewan far west, and really have that cohesiveness in terms of our community. I really like the look of the city now and I think that people are going to really see the city as welcoming and really pretty, to be honest." 

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