Saskatoon residents raise concerns over future bridge connection on 33rd

People living near Saskatoon's 33rd Street had a chance to give feedback on a new river crossing proposal. The city wants to connect 33rd Street with Preston Avenue on the other side of the river.

The proposed bridge is part of the city's growth plan for the next three to four decades. Wednesday, at an open house on 33rd Street, people offered their opinions on the plan's final draft — including plans for the bridge.

Several people raised concerns. 

"I think it might be good for getting to the east side," Susan Fowler said. "My concern would be for the businesses from Idylwyld west because that's a pretty crowded street now. And I like to park on the street there, so."

Eric Lefol said he doesn't want to see traffic increased in that area of 33rd Street.

"Make sure that we keep the street friendly for people to shop and for events on the street and so on," he said.

Lefol also worries about the impact on Spadina Crescent which runs along the river and crosses 33rd Street.

"There's a lot of people who take this destination (along Spadina) for family walks and so on," Lefol said. "And having a bridge with off-ramps and so on at this place, I don't think it will please people."

"If it's 75,000 people a day, that's a crazy amount of people going down in that area," Corrine Waldner said, "especially with two public schools in the area two and a half blocks away."

The city expects areas served by the bridge to grow by 75-thousand people.

Waldner also said it makes little sense that the city has put in a pedestrian and cycling path along 33rd, only to channel more traffic down that street by building a bridge.

Liz Kovacs wants to know how much the bridge will cost before she'll decide whether to support it.

Brodie Thompson is also undecided, although he too has reservations.

"It feels like we're designing a city for cars only and not for other modes of transport. And so the 33rd St. bridge sort of just continues to enable that mentality," Thompson said.

He added that fewer lanes for motor vehicles and a greater focus on pedestrians and cyclists would go some way to persuading him to accept the bridge.

The city says the bridge won't be needed for many years. If more people use public transit or cycle and walk to commute, the project could be pushed even further into the future. 

Another open house on Saskatoon's Growth Plan to Half a Million will happen on Thursday (Oct. 22) at 4:30 p.m. at the Saskatoon Field House.

The long-term plans that will be discussed include:

• A new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
• Redevelopment along major streets.
• The new river crossing connecting 33rd Street to Preston Avenue.

The final chance to have your say is Nov. 8.