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In some good news for Saskatoon drivers, University Bridge reopened to traffic on Friday afternoon.
The City of Saskatoon said in a news release that the bridge, southbound Clarence Avenue turning off the bridge and the south lanes of College Drive between Clarence Avenue and Hospital Drive are now open to traffic.
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There are currently two lanes of traffic, one in each direction on College Drive from the University Bridge to Hospital Drive, the city added.
The bridge was closed in early April to allow for drive surface refinishing and arch repair work to be completed, with the city saying then that the work was expected to last eight to 10 weeks. Emergency vehicles including police, fire and ambulances, along with Saskatchewan Health Authority vehicles were still allowed to use the bridge.
The city said in mid-June that the bridge and College Drive at Clarence Avenue was scheduled to reopen “during the week of June 29,” then in mid-July said it had decided against it.
“After discussions with emergency services and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the decision to open the University Bridge to general traffic has been delayed temporarily to ensure that consistent emergency access to the hospitals and related services remains the priority,” the city said at the time.
On Friday, the city said there are a few changes drivers should take note of in the area:
College Drive: East of Hospital Drive, traffic will continue using the two south lanes, with one lane in each direction, through to Cumberland Avenue.
Saskatchewan Crescent: The exit from University Bridge to Saskatchewan Crescent will remain closed.
University Drive: The section between Elliott Street and College Drive will be closed.
Wiggins Road: The north section into the University of Saskatchewan campus will be open on a right-turn-in, right-turn-out basis. Left turns from College Drive onto Wiggins will not be permitted.
Wiggins Avenue south of College Drive: This section will remain closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians and other active transportation. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross College Drive at the Wiggins intersection and are encouraged to use available active transportation routes while following posted signage.
25th Street: Construction will continue, with lane restrictions remaining along 25th Street leading to the bridge, including the continued closure of the 4th Avenue and 25th Street intersection.
Pedestrian walkways: Pedestrian access will continue to be available on the south side of the University Bridge, while the north side remains closed.
The city added that work to re-open Clarence Avenue and Saskatchewan Crescent is ongoing.
With the bridge reopening come some changes to Saskatoon Transit as well. Service has resumed on routes 16 and 4/40s across the bridge. Due to 25th Street construction, routes 16 and 4/40s will still detour onto Spadina Crescent and 24th Street.
Routes 17 and 517 will continue the current detour while the Clarence Avenue intersection at College Drive remains partially closed. Once this area re-opens, Route 17 will resume regular service and the temporary shuttle Route 517 will no longer operate.
Some stops along College Drive will remain closed, with temporary stops in place.
The city said rider should take note of the following changes to routes resuming across University Bridge:
Route 16: Detours via 24th Street and Spadina Crescent, temporary stops added at 24th Street and 6th Avenue.
Route 4/40s: Detours via 24th Street and Spadina Crescent, temporary stops added at 24th Street and 6th Avenue
Routes still affected by College Drive detours are:
Route 17: Detours via 14th Street and Cumberland Avenue
Route 517: Temporary shuttle service between Clarence Avenue and Place Riel via Cumberland and 12th Street.
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