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Navigating a myriad of construction mazes throughout Saskatoon is becoming increasingly stressful for Wendy Albertson.
The Saskatoon mom and current cancer patient said that when school began on Sept. 2, traffic congestion through the many roadblocks, lane restrictions and construction zones became a major source of stress as she tried to get to the Saskatoon Cancer Centre at the University of Saskatchewan for treatment.
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“Since then — and I’ve been there at numerous times of the day — even at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, it’s ridiculous to try to get there. Anyone from out of town wouldn’t have a clue,” she said.
She cites delays and road closures around Taylor Street, along Preston Avenue South for the Link platform construction where traffic is down to one lane in each direction, and road closures on and around College Drive.
“Have they thought about what it does when you lock so many things off at once? Have they thought about what potential issues could happen with delay of care and that sort of thing … and why wasn’t that considered?” she wondered.
A sign at the intersection at Wiggins Avenue and College Drive directs drivers to use an alternate route to reach the cancer centre. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
Access to Royal University Hospital via the University Bridge is allowed, but for emergency vehicles only or for some medical personnel. The bridge was closed to regular traffic in early April and reopened on Friday, still with traffic restrictions.
Construction along College Drive from Clarence Avenue South to Cumberland Avenue South is part of Phase One, Stage Three of the Link project. However, Phase Two of the project, from Cumberland Avenue South to Preston Avenue South, is also expected to continue in 2027.
The City of Saskatoon website says the phased approach is “designed to reduce overall impacts, but people travelling through the College Corridor — including those heading to hospitals, USask and nearby businesses — should expect delays and detours.
“The City is working to keep people moving safely, maintain access for emergency responders at all times and minimize disruptions wherever possible. When complete, these improvements will support more reliable transit, safer active transportation and continued vehicle access along College Drive.”
But that’s little comfort to Albertson, who now adds at least an extra hour to the time needed to get from her home to the cancer centre.
“The stress of having cancer is bad enough but when you’re missing treatments or not being able to get there to even have an appointment to get your treatment started. They’re so busy that when you do miss appointments, it’s sometimes hard to get them rescheduled,” she pointed out.
She’s done a lot of travelling to other Canadian and U.S. cities and said the number of projects going on all at once in Saskatoon is incredible.
“There’s a way to go about it where you’re not totally locking off so many entrances to an acute-care facility that is a major trauma centre, as well as the cancer centre,” she said.
“You just wonder who’s planning all of this, and do they actually live in the city and drive through it? Because if they did, they might change how they’re doing it,” she added.
A request for a telephone interview with the city’s manager of roadways and construction, Terry Schmidt, or a representative from the department was made Friday morning. As of 5 p.m. Friday, no response had been received from the City of Saskatoon.
The intersection of Clarence Avenue and College Drive remains closed to traffic near Ronald McDonald House. A spokesperson said they advise families to prepare for appointments and visits earlier because of construction delays. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
Ronald McDonald House also experiences delays
Karen Linsley, director of development and communications with Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan, said their drivers also have to navigate the many road closures along College Drive to get families to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.
“Our shuttle drivers and our operations staff have really been up on what’s blocked off and what’s not, and we do our very best to ensure that families are aware of what is blocked off and what is not if they’re taking their own vehicles over to the hospital,” she said.
They’re also encouraging families to get ready for their appointments or visits knowing that it may take longer to get where they need to go, especially now that the U of S is in session. Before construction, it took drivers about four minutes to get to the hospital. Now, it can take up to 15 minutes or so to get there.
“It’s been a tricky time, but I think our shuttle drivers have taken really good care of our families and ensuring they get to their appointments on time while they’re staying with us,” she added.
Linsley did add that the myriad of closures can be confusing.
“I think if you’re new to Saskatoon that can be very stressful, too. And if you’re not used to driving around Saskatoon that definitely adds stress and strain to families,” she said, adding that’s why many of the families staying with them choose to commute by the shuttle service provided.
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