SASKATOON – Bumper-to-bumper traffic and moving at a snails pace is something Saskatoon drivers are not use to and it is taking a toll on motorists.
“I definitely try to avoid it. If I can get around it any way I will,” said one driver.
Ward 1 City Councillor, Darren Hill, said construction this week resulted in increased residential traffic as some drivers seemed more willing to zig-zag in and out of residential neighbourhoods than to inch along through bottle-necked construction zones.
The main point of contention was Circle Drive, where crews were repaving between the North Bridge and the Attridge Drive.
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On Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday, the three-lane arterial was down to one lane. All three lanes are expected to be open for the morning commute on Friday.
According to Hill, poor planning is partially to blame for the major congestion.
“We had too many projects happening at the same time and no pressure relief for the traffic. We were diverting and diverting and diverting and there was no place for them to go to actually get away from traffic.”
Hill has plans to avoid a similar circumstance in the future.
“At the next council meeting, I plan to have a lengthy inquiry for administration based on a number of issues being road construction, road repair, traffic congestion and traffic management.
“If we’re going to be looking at a designated road levy, or a base tax, I want to be confident that what we’re going to be doing with that new money is going to be used wisely and in the best manner possible.”
The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9.
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