The City of Saskatoon installed two [1] new traffic lights on Warman Road this week to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.

These infrastructure updates are part of a broader strategy to prepare the city's road network for increased traffic and pedestrian volume. The improvements serve as a critical precursor to the launch of the Link transit line, which is scheduled for 2028 [1].

The new signals are located at the intersections of Warman Road and Hazen Street, and Warman Road and 5th Avenue North [1, 2]. These specific locations were targeted to enhance crossing safety in areas with high activity.

Earlier this month, reports indicated that the city began testing new pedestrian-crossing signals on the road [2]. The testing phase, which was reported on May 18 [2], ensured the timing and visibility of the signals met safety standards before they became fully operational.

City officials said the project is designed to reduce accidents and create a more walkable environment. By integrating these signals now, the city aims to establish safe traffic patterns well before the 2028 transit expansion begins [1].

The installation of these lights represents a shift toward more controlled intersections on Warman Road — a route that has seen evolving traffic demands as the city grows. The city continues to monitor the impact of these signals on traffic flow and pedestrian behavior to determine if further installations are necessary in the surrounding corridors [1, 2].

“The improvements serve as a critical precursor to the launch of the Link transit line.”

The installation of these signals indicates that Saskatoon is prioritizing 'last-mile' pedestrian safety as it prepares for the Link transit line. By implementing traffic controls years before the 2028 launch, the city is attempting to modify driver behavior and establish safety norms before the transit system introduces a significantly higher volume of commuters to the Warman Road corridor.