SaskatchewanThe most significant changes are planned for First Avenue, where bus-only lanes are planned for the centre of the street, according to information and renderings on the city’s website.Bus-only lanes on First Avenue would eliminate traffic lanes, parking spotsPhil Tank · CBC News · Posted: Oct 22, 2025 5:02 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThis rendering shows plans for dedicated bus lanes on First Avenue in downtown Saskatoon as part of the Link transit revamp. (City of Saskatoon)If you’ve ever been foiled by a concrete barrier when trying to drive across Second Avenue at 21st Street, your traffic nemesis is set for termination.The removal of the barrier is among the major changes planned for downtown Saskatoon to accommodate the city’s Link transit upgrade.The most significant changes affect First Avenue, where bus-only lanes are set for the centre of the street, according to information and renderings on the city’s website.First Avenue is one of two stretches, along with College Drive, where dedicated bus lanes are slated to be built as part of the Link plan.Renderings show bus lanes would reduce regular vehicle traffic on First Avenue to one southbound lane and one northbound lane from 20th Street to 24th Street and eliminate dozens of parking spots.LISTEN | College Drive will be transformed by Link:Saskatoon Morning5:12College Drive will be transformed by LINK, the city’s new bus rapid transit systemSaskatoon Morning producer Charles Hamilton gives us a look at what College Drive will look like as the major artery is transformed by the bus rapid transit system.A city parking study determined the changes to First Avenue would reduce the number of parking spots from 308 to about 247. The study shows parking supply in the area exceeds demand and less than half of stalls are filled during peak periods. There are also sufficient parking spots on adjacent streets, the study concludes.The Link changes would eliminate the southbound left-turn lane on First Avenue at 21st Street. As a result, the city plans to remove the concrete median at the intersection of 21st and Second Avenue.Despite these plans, the city is still looking for feedback on its transit transformation.An open house is planned for Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. CST at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown on 22nd Street. Another is scheduled for Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CST at the same location.Construction on First Avenue is expected to start in 2027.WATCH | The goal of Link is to improve bus travel times:Improving bus travel times in SaskatoonThe City of Saskatoon is launching its Link rapid transit system to make bus travel faster and more efficient.The dedicated bus lanes were originally planned for Third Avenue, but pressure from downtown businesses convinced the city to move them to First.Link represents a major overhaul of Saskatoon’s bus system based on bus rapid transit principles. Saskatoon Transit has been discussing a bus rapid transit revamp for decades. It’s expected to cost about $250 million with costs shared by the city, province and federal government.The new service, which will feature 38 kilometres of rapid bus lanes, is expected to launch in 2028.The city plans to complete construction on 44 station platforms across the city for Link this year.ABOUT THE AUTHORPhil Tank is a journalist in Saskatoon.
Big changes set for downtown Saskatoon in Link bus plan
