Construction season is officially underway in Saskatoon, with a significant, commute-impacting project beginning on Monday.

Starting on the 6th, both the University Bridge and the west-most portion of College Drive will be closed to public vehicles for construction. Dan Willems with the City of Saskatoon says phases 1 and 2 of College Drive rehabilitation includes bridge arch repairs, refinishing the driving surface, and Link system construction.

“This work’s been planned for several years related to the Link Bus Rapid Transit Project. We’ve been coordinating some work that needs to happen on the University Bridge to happen at the same time.”

Stage 1 of Phase 1 is expected to wrap up in mid-June, when Stage 2 will be underway until late August. This work consists of reconstructing the north part of the road between Hospital Drive and Cumberland Avenue. To follow, the south side of the road will be tackled throughout September and October. Then in 2027, crews will address College Drive between Cumberland and Preston.

Willems says during these projects, the bridge will still be open to emergency vehicles if needed.