When will Saskatoon have a Ring Road like the other four major Prairie cities, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg? A better question might be WILL Saskatoon ever have a Ring Road? Edmonton’s ring road was completed and opened to traffic in 2016. The final segment of Calgary’s ring road opened to traffic last December. Regina has a partial ring road with Pasqua Street North and Lewvan Drive serving as the western leg. Winnipeg’s ring road encircling the city is called the Perimeter Highway. As for Saskatoon, the provincial government has been working with the city on a proposed ring road since 1999. However, here we are in 2024 and it appears construction won’t begin for at least another 15 years, maybe as long as 25 years. There is some controversy behind the project and opposition to it because it is slated to pass through two sensitive natural wetlands. Last week, City Council was asked to approve the second phase of the project running from Highway 11 south of Saskatoon around the east side of the city up to the South Saskatchewan River but opted to defer a decision and instead ask for more information from the province. The Ministry of Highways doesn’t require the city’s endorsement. However, it says it will work with the city regardless of its position on the freeway but is hesitant to reroute the freeway beyond Warman or Martensville because its main purpose is to be used by Saskatoon motorists. So, as far as Saskatoon having a ring road, stay tuned but don’t hold your breath.
That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.