{
  "id": 7230651,
  "title": "Saskatoon construction snarls commutes for USask students, hospital staff",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/saskatoon-construction-snarls-commutes-for-usask-students-hospital",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T02:58:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12054667/saskatoon-construction-snarls-commutes-for-usask-students-hospital-staff/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saskatoon commuters are facing increased delays as construction work nears completion on a key road linking the University of Saskatchewan, a hospital, and downtown. The University Bridge reopened last Friday after months of repairs, but its reopening coincides with students returning to campus and summer vacation ends, causing traffic congestion. Rob Dudiak, the city's special projects manager, said that people may have taken advantage of the bridge's reopening, leading to the current restrictions. The construction is part of the city's Link bus rapid transit project, which includes platforms, intersection changes, and lane restrictions along College Drive. USask students report a half-hour increase in travel times from Campus Drive to the Campus and College Drive intersection. The university and Medavie Health Services West, which operates the city's ambulance system, say there are no significant delays for emergency vehicles reaching Royal University Hospital. The Cancer Agency will accommodate late patients or rescheduled appointments at the nearby Cancer Centre. The bridge remains closed to the Saskatchewan Crescent exit, while an intersection with 25th Street and 2nd Avenue North stays closed. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October, and phase two will resume construction between Cumberland and Preston Avenues next year.",
  "summary": "A web of construction and lane restrictions along Saskatoon's College Drive is causing traffic backlogs, putting the patience of university students and hospital staff to the test.",
  "key_points": [
    "University Bridge reopened last Friday, causing traffic congestion.",
    "Construction part of Link bus rapid transit project, includes lane restrictions.",
    "No significant delays for emergency vehicles reaching Royal University Hospital."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Construction delays on a key Saskatoon road are disrupting daily commutes for University of Saskatchewan students and hospital staff, with travel times increasing by up to half an hour.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Saskatoon construction snarls commutes for USask students, hospital staff",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/saskatoon-construction-snarls-commutes-for-usask-students-hospital-7236077",
        "published": "2026-09-14T02:58:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}