News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Snowfall Warning continues; City crews applying de-icing materials, plowing and grading snow during snowfall
March 4, 2022 - 1:05am
Environment & Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for Saskatoon today forecasting total accumulations of 5 to 15 cm of snowfall by this evening.
Snowfall began overnight and total accumulation by the morning commute is about 5 cm.
City crews worked through the night plowing Circle Drive and expressways and applying de-icing materials to improve traction on Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections.
While the snow is falling today, City and contractor crews will stay focussed on applying de-icing materials and keeping driving lanes clear on Circle Drive and streets with three or more lanes each way like Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive.
When it stops snowing, a snow event will be declared and clean-up across the city commences including clearing snow from City-maintained sidewalks and snow grading of priority streets.
Please keep back when you see blue and amber flashing lights to let road equipment complete their pass.
Snow crews are at work this winter 24/7. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/snow and follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.
2nd Avenue closed between 19th Street and Saunders Place on Saturday
March 4, 2022 - 8:00am
2nd Avenue will be closed between 19th Street and Saunders Place on Saturday, March 5, at 6:00 a.m. for crane lift work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take 12 hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
3rd Avenue closed between Duchess and Duke streets on Sunday
March 4, 2022 - 7:00am
3rd Avenue will be closed between Duchess and Duke streets on Sunday, March 6, at 7:00 a.m. for cable installation work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take six hours to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Big snowfall in the forecast; City road crews ready to respond
March 3, 2022 - 10:18am
Environment & Climate Change Canada issued a snowfall warning for Saskatoon today anticipating a long period of snow with total accumulation of 10 cm – 20 cm starting overnight into Friday afternoon. Visibility on roads and sidewalks may be challenging during the snowfall. Drivers are urged to slow down and adjust driving with changing road conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.
City and contractor crews are on standby and will grade the driving lanes along Circle Drive and the busiest freeway and arterial streets during the snow fall. When it stops snowing and Priority 1 streets have all been graded, crews move into the Priority 2 and 3 streets.
Sanders will be spreading de-icing materials on Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections overnight to reduce icing. Please watch for their blue and amber flashing lights and leave room for road equipment to do their work.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Daily Road Report - March 4, 2022
March 3, 2022 - 9:16am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 108TH ST W TO 109TH ST W
(Bridge inspections)
Start: March 4, 9:00 a.m. End: March 4, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO VALLEY RD
(Construction)
Start: March 3, 7:00 a.m. End: March 4, 5:00 p.m.
LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM ASH ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Connection repair)
Start: March 3, 8:00 a.m. End: March 4, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Transit service strained by global auto parts shortage: recovery plan in place
March 2, 2022 - 10:06am
- Buses are being sent to third party garages to add to maintenance resources.
- Buses with long term defects or parts that are not available or delayed are being used to fix other buses.
- Check Engine Light calls are being investigated and sent back on the road more quickly.
- Issues that do not involve Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, brakes or steering are quickly checked and sent back on the road if it is safe to do so. HVAC, brakes and steering issues that need repair are booked for a mechanic as soon as possible, however fixing the issue is contingent on parts availability.
- Working with nearby Transit properties to determine what parts can be accessed from them. Transit has also been working with parts distributors to get as many parts as possible.
- To ensure more parts are on-hand, maximum/minimum stock levels have been changed for high-demand parts or for parts that take longer to obtain.
- Maintenance staff have been working overtime.
Saskatoon Transit continues to deliver service as world-wide supply chain shortages put a strain on service.
“The ability to source and obtain parts in a timely manner because of the parts shortages related to the pandemic and other recent events, globally and nationally, have been major contributing factors to getting buses repaired and quickly back into service,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.
McDonald says the challenges in obtaining parts in a timely manner, as well as increased probability of mechanical breakdowns with an aging fleet, differentiates this winter from other winters with prolonged extreme cold weather events.
“Fortunately, the extreme cold weather has subsided, but it will take a few days to address the backlog of mechanical repairs.”
What Transit is doing:
On average, Saskatoon Transit has been about five to ten buses short during weekdays. We know service cuts of any kind have a significant impact on those that rely on Transit Services. The team at Transit considers all options when required to make service reductions and decisions are based on minimizing impacts to riders.
The service impact is a reduction in some neighbourhood frequency, but no routes are completely cancelled and service to High Schools is covered, however riders may need to take alternate routes.
Solutions to get more buses on the road:
Tips for Transit riders:
Service alerts are posted to the Transit app and Google Maps Transit as soon as possible however riders are encouraged to check for service alerts one hour before they travel. Riders can “pin” the routes taken most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions. Alerts are also posted every morning and afternoon to SaskatoonTransit.ca/service-alerts and Twitter (@StoonTransit), with periodic updates as the situation changes. Riders can also call the Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100 for updates (7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. M-F).
If there is a service disruption on your route, riders can use the trip planning function in the transit app or Google Maps to find an alternate route. Simply type in where you are and where you want to go.
Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience during this challenging time.
Daily Road Report - March 3, 2022
March 2, 2022 - 2:09am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
CIRCLE DR S WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO VALLEY RD
(Construction)
Start: March 3, 7:00 a.m. End: March 4, 5:00 p.m.
LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM ASH ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Connection repair)
Start: March 3, 8:00 a.m. End: March 4, 5:00 p.m.
ONGOING
No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Lorne Avenue closed between Adelaide and Ash streets starting Thursday
March 2, 2022 - 8:00am
Lorne Avenue will be closed between Adelaide and Ash streets starting Thursday, March 3, at 8:00 a.m. for water and sewer connection repair connection work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take two days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Application deadline reminder for Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group Members
March 2, 2022 - 1:42am
- Advisory Group meetings will be held quarterly, or at the call of the Chair.
- The duration of each meeting is subject to the contents of the agenda and ensuing discussion.
- Advisory Group members shall serve without receiving remuneration.
City Council is seeking individuals for appointment to the Downtown Event and Entertainment District Advisory Group. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 4.
The Advisory Group’s role is to foster connections between business and community partners, and the City Administration and City Council to support the successful implementation of a new event and entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon.
The development of an animated Downtown event and entertainment district, anchored by a new Downtown arena and convention centre, will stimulate the economy and bring renewed energy and life to Saskatoon’s Downtown. Together, these two projects will provide public benefit to all residents of Saskatoon by creating a vibrant Downtown that is open, inviting, safe and accessible for all.
While the City of Saskatoon (City) will retain overall ownership of these new facilities and infrastructure once constructed, numerous key stakeholders, project partners, and sponsors will be integral in driving the successful development and delivery of the project.
The formation of the Advisory Group will reflect the diversity of the community and possess the preferred qualifications, attributes, and experience as a whole.
Interested applicants are asked to submit an application and résumé with two letters of reference by no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2022, using the Committee Application Form found online at saskatoon.ca/boards. All applications will be kept on file and reviewed throughout the year should further vacancies occur.
Note: Upon applying to this Board, your application/résumé/reference letters may be shared with current Board members as part of the review process.
Additional information on the Advisory Group is available on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/boards. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 or city.clerks@saskatoon.ca if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Daily Road Report - March 2, 2022
March 1, 2022 - 7:05am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
CIRCLE DR W SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM LAURIER DR TO 22ND ST E
(Traffic pole repairs)
Start: March 2, 9:00 a.m. End: March 2, 12:00 p.m.
ONGOING
No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.