Feedback from more than 2,100 people has helped the Saskatoon Freeway Functional Study design team prepare a preferred roadway concept for Phase 2 of the project.
This consultation – held online between February 16 and March 2, 2021 – focused on the east side of the city, starting at Highway 11 near Grasswood and crossing Highway 16, Highway 5, and Highway 41 before continuing across the South Saskatchewan River.
An online approach was used in response to health and safety protocols related to COVID-19. Attendance was almost 10 times higher than in-person sessions held in 2019 and 2020. Freeway planners also received over 360 responses to surveys.
The full information package from the spring 2021 online information session is available online at the project website.
Over the summer, the design team considered this feedback while preparing a preferred route. They evaluated factors such as cost, economic benefits, social and environmental impacts, and driver travel characteristics.
The public can see an overview of the preferred concept for Phase 2 on the Saskatoon Freeway Functional Study website.
Later this fall, the freeway design planners will host a second online public consultation to share more information on this phase. Look for details on the website and social media.
In addition to online and in-person consultations, public engagement for the Saskatoon Freeway over the last three years has included numerous group and one-on-one meetings with a wide range of individuals and organizations, including: landowners, environmental/heritage stakeholders, First Nations and Metis representatives, impacted municipalities, industry stakeholders, businesses, and the City of Saskatoon.
The Ministry of Highways has decided to defer planning of Phase 3 until later.
The proposed Saskatoon Freeway is expected to be approximately 55-kilometres of divided highway with a minimum of four lanes that begins at Highway 11 south of Saskatoon, passes around the east and north sides of the city, and ends with a connection with Highway 7 west of the city. Currently, there is no timeline for construction.