News Releases

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

1ST AVE N NB & SB PARKING LANES CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Drilling test holes)
Start: January 11, 8:00 a.m. End: January 11, 4:00 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.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO REVER RD
(Equipment offloading)
Start: January 10, 9:00 a.m. End: January 10, 1:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE
(Transmission line install)
Start: January 10, 12:00 p.m. End: January 10, 2:00 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.

The City is actively monitoring the Omicron variant and the impact on operations and the core services Saskatoon’s residents rely on even as the colour-coded risk level has moved to red-level status. 

In Fall 2021, the City implemented a COVID-19 risk decision-making framework which presents a colour-coded risk level and measures for consideration at each level to City Council for approval near the end of each month that remain in place for the following month. For January 2022, the Council-approved status is yellow [caution]. 

In the interim, the framework is updated weekly to monitor any changes in the primary indicators, but no potential changes are made to the framework until the next Regular Business Meeting of City Council -- or if City Council decides to hold a special meeting. The primary indicators for the current week of January 5th indicate that Saskatoon has entered red-level status.

“We are anticipating and planning for the likelihood that City staff will need to be away from the workplace due to COVID-related illness and self-isolation resulting from the Omicron variant in our community,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. “However, we want to stress to residents that core services are being maintained.”

The City has a number of measures in place to mitigate the potential of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, including, but not limited to: an Employee Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative Test Program, the requirement for all staff to complete a Fit For Duty health screening form prior to attending to the workplace, masking and physical distancing protocols, enhanced cleaning, physical barriers, and staff who have been working from home are continuing to do so, with in-person meetings discouraged at this time unless they are critical in nature. 

“These measures have worked to keep our staff safe and services operating throughout previous waves of COVID-19, and we continue to enhance our safety plans and business continuity processes to respond to the fifth wave,” says Goulden-McLeod.

Core City Services

Goulden-McLeod says the core services currently continue: garbage collection remains on schedule; roadways snow clearing is progressing as scheduled; water treatment remains reliable and safe; wastewater processes remain unaffected; City repair and maintenance projects are happening; Saskatoon Light & Power service remains unaffected.

Saskatoon Transit, Leisure Facilities & City Hall Lobby

Saskatoon Transit service is being affected by the cold weather.

Leisure Centres, Indoor Arenas, and City Hall lobby remain open and operating with a focus on staff and customer safety under the current Public Heath Orders and previous direction of City Council. Cancellations and modifications have not been made to Leisure Centre or Indoor Arena programming at this time.

Emergency Services

The Saskatoon Fire Department is not currently experiencing any significant staffing challenges. 

“We continue to watch and plan for any impact of the Omicron variant on staffing levels by reviewing our business continuity plan to ensure that core safety services can continue to operate in the community,” says Morgan Hackl, Saskatoon Fire Chief.

Saskatoon Police Service Deputy Chief Mitch Yuzdepski says community safety measures remain firmly in place.  

“The Saskatoon Police Service has a business continuity plan in place to ensure that there will be no disruption to front-line services. This plan includes folding-in other police units to support frontline resources as required,” says Deputy Chief Yuzdepski.

For the latest information, visit:
saskatoon.ca/covid-19 
saskatoontransit.ca 
saskatoonpolice.ca

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of these dates.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of these dates.

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.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

The extended cold temperatures continue to cause shortages of buses and delays.  

Cold temperatures can cause the ‘check engine’ light to turn on and cause condensation in the air system which may freeze valves leading to suspension issues or frozen brakes. In either situation, to ensure buses are safe to operate, a mechanic must verify the condition of the bus or complete any repairs before it can return to the road.  

Before leaving to catch the bus, riders are encouraged to check for service alerts on the Transit app or Google Maps Transit on desktop. “Favourite” the routes taken most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions. Service alert information can also be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca on Twitter @stoontransit or by calling 306.975.3100. 

Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience and understanding as we work through this period of cold weather.  

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Groomed cross country ski trails maintained by the City of Saskatoon are expected to be ready between January 10 to 14, 2022, at the Upper and Lower Meewasin, Diefenbaker, Kinsmen, and Forest Parks. 

Ski trails were originally expected to ready the first week of January, but equipment repairs along with the cold weather have delayed the start of the season by approximately one week.

Following the completion of the main cross country ski trails, the City will begin grooming trails in 30 neighbourhood parks.  This new initiative supports Saskatoon’s WintercityYXE Strategy and is run in partnership with various Community Associations throughout the city.

Visit saskatoon.ca/ski for trail locations and updates on conditions.  Additional trails are groomed by Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club including classic and skate skiing loops at the Holiday and Wildwood Golf Courses.  Visit saskatoonnordicski.ca for more information.

Saskatoon streets are covered in snow and Circle Drive is down to one lane in some locations due to ongoing blowing snow this morning. Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution on the morning commute.

City crews worked through the night plowing and grading major roads through the city; however, the wind and snowfall was working against these efforts. In some locations, drifting snow is collecting in driving lanes, which may cause traffic delays.

While the snow is falling, City crews will stay focussed on keeping driving lanes clear on Circle Drive and streets with three or more lanes each way like Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive. Twenty-six City and contractor graders will begin grading arterial streets to keep lanes open. Sanders continue to monitor and address busy intersections, bridge decks and overpasses that at higher risk for slippery conditions, due to a layer of ice under the snow.

Once the snow has stopped, crews will move into collector streets through all neighbourhoods. Sanding will continue and sidewalks and pathway clearing will begin. Please keep back when you see blue and amber flashing lights to let road equipment complete their pass.