The Broadway Bridge will close entirely sometime in April and likely reopen in October for “proactive maintenance.” The City of Saskatoon says work will include concrete deck repairs, waterproofing replacement, new asphalt and traffic barriers, improvements to the multi-use pathways, arches and railings, expansion joint replacements, removal of abandoned utilities underneath the bridge and improvements to existing utility infrastructure. The exact date had not yet been determined at press time. Other areas affected will be nearby parts of Fourth Avenue, 19th Street and Spadina Crescent downtown. As always, the closure of a bridge in this City of Bridges will bring changes to traffic patterns and present some challenges for summer events. On Broadway Avenue itself, the new Saskatoon rapid transit system known as the “Link” will also be advanced. Four Link stations will be constructed likely beginning in mid May, and that will take about four weeks. This will bring partial lane closures on the street as concrete pads are poured. While the street grasps the importance of the construction and bridge rehabilitation, the Broadway Business Improvement District nonetheless has struck a subcommittee specific to the closure.

“We’ve been talking since last year about the bridge closure and coming up with strategies. We budgeted for that,” said Anne-Marie Cey, BID executive director, in an interview. “That’s the whole point of our existence is to work for the businesses in our district and we’re trying to pick out what we can do that will essentially help the majority.” The city has information on its website which is being updated as the closure nears. “We have received a lot of good information from the city and the team that works with transportation,” Cey said. “They have a very good strategy in place to create local awareness with a social media plan and signage. “We’re taking what they’re putting out and we’ve put it on our website.” Being proactive now, she said, will mitigate any challenges that may arise. The main thing is that Saskatoon knows Broadway is open even if the bridge is closed. “A lot of our businesses are very optimistic because Broadway has always been known as a walkable part of Saskatoon,” Cey said. “We’re emphasizing the walkability.” The BID is also looking at additional free parking options and offering a bike valet on Saturdays, so people can leave their bicycles attended while shopping or attending events.

Also new is a patio at Five Corners, scheduled to be installed before June 7 which is when the street’s Spring Fling occurs — the second biggest Broadway Avenue business event, Cey says. “We’re also looking at doing some Thursday night Broadway block parties in the summer. We want to catch that weekend lake crowd and visitors, of course,” Cey said. “The more we do, and the more people see on Broadway the lively fun atmosphere we’re known for, people will say Broadway is open for business.” The Broadway Street Fair, held annually in the first week of September, is one of the biggest events of the year, “probably one of the bigger ones in Saskatoon,” Cey added, and it too will go ahead. While Broadway businesses have been focused on the bridge, its rehabilitation also comes at a time when tariffs are affecting businesses across Canada, and Broadway, in some respects, will not be immune despite its local focus. “The liquor prices are going up and accessing bourbon, for example, is near-impossible,” Cey noted. Canadians are closely reading labels and deciding how to redirect their spending to Canadian products, she added. However, most people who shop Broadway are already supportive of local products and companies. “We want to amplify that message too, to keep that momentum going.”