Public consultation on Phase 1 of the Saskatoon Freeway functional study was completed in February 2020.

Phase 1’s scope included a busy corridor with Highways 11, 12, and 16; Wanuskewin Road; Rock Ridge Road/Range Road 3053; and the CN rail line. This phase was also when we began assessments of proposed bridge types crossing the South Saskatchewan River.

In June 2019, after considering input from key stakeholders and landowners, technical experts and select stakeholders participated in a two-day workshop to identify solutions to roadway design challenges in the north end of Saskatoon.

This workshop evaluated four distinct options – each featured a unique set of advantages as well as technical constraints. All four options were designed to address the following minimum criteria:

Highway to highway connectivity

Numerous access points to municipal roadways

Access to Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Optimum interchange spacing

Key environmental considerations that include the Wanuskewin Heritage Park buffer area and the Hudson Bay Swale.

All options incorporated the City of Saskatoon’s plans for the north end of the city as identified in the preliminary North Saskatoon Network Planning Study.

After evaluating those options, a more refined and detailed set of alignment and interchange configurations was developed for:

Highway 11, Wanuskewin Road, and Penner Road

Highway 12

Highway 16

This shortlisted set of design solutions was shared with the public at two come-and-go information sessions held in Saskatoon in late November 2019. Click here to see the information shared.

Based on feedback – as well as the results of an online survey for those who could not attend in person – a preferred alignment for Phase 1 was developed. This was shared at a second come-and-go public information session in February 2020. Click here to see the information shared.

With Phase 1 now concluded, it is expected the preferred alignment will be finalized and approved in mid to late 2020. Once approved, the current 500-metre-wide corridor in which land development has been restricted will be reduced by approximately 75 per cent.

November 2019 – Phase 1 public information session #1

The following information was shared with members of the public at two come-and-go information sessions held in Saskatoon in November 2019. The information presented included multiple alignment and interchange configurations for:

Highway 11, Wanuskewin Road, and Penner Road

Highway 12

Highway 16

February 2020 – Phase 1 public information session #2

The following information on the preferred route was shared at a final come-and-go information session held in Saskatoon in February 2020. The information presented included the preferred alignment and interchange configurations for:

Highway 11, Wanuskewin Road, and Penner Road

Highway 12

Highway 16

These information boards were displayed at the public information session held on February 26, 2020.