News Releases

The 8th Street ramp to Circle Drive northbound will be closed starting on Monday, September 9, at 8:00 p.m. for pavement markings. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one night 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 are 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.

Broadway Avenue will be closed between 8th and 12th streets on Saturday, September 7, starting at 6:00 a.m. for the Broadway Street Fair. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. Roadways are expected to open after 8:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.                         

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are 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.

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

NEW

SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Colliers Cup Charity Street Hockey Tournament)
Start: September 6, 5:00 a.m. End: September 6, 9:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB LANES CLOSED FROM 31ST ST W TO 29TH ST W
(Water main maintenance)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in NB lanes
Start: September 6, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK

HIGHWAY 16 EB MEDIAN LANE & LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Pavement markings)
Start: September 6, 7:00 p.m. End: September 6, 5:00 a.m.

HIGHWAY 16 EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Pavement markings)
Start: September 6, 7:00 p.m. End: September 6, 5:30 a.m.

HIGHWAY 16 EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT BOYCHUK DR
(Pavement markings)
Access to/from Boychuk Dr will be maintained
Start: September 6, 7:00 p.m. End: September 7, 5:00 a.m.

MILLAR AVE NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 43RD ST E TO 45TH ST E
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: September 6, 7:00 p.m. End: September 7, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

WARMAN RD SB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: September 5, 7:00 p.m. End: September 6, 6:00 a.m.

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM CRESCENT BLVD TO FAIRLIGHT DR
(Infrastructure improvements)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 6, 4:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD WEST SIDE OF ROUND-A-BOUT CLOSED AT TASKAMANWA ST
(Service install)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 6, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD TO HENRY DAYDAY RD
(Streetscaping)
Start: August 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 4:30 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Gas main repair)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 4:30 p.m.

MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(Construction)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 9, 1:00 p.m.

20TH ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT AVE E S
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 7, 7:00 a.m. End: September 9, 4:30 p.m.

20TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 1ST AVE S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 10, 7:00 a.m.

FAITHFULL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 43RD ST E TO 44TH ST E
(Water main maintenance)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 12, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 19, 7:00 a.m. End: September 16, 5:00 p.m.

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM OSBORNE ST TO WINDSOR ST
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P construction)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 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.

The City of Saskatoon Parks Department has confirmed new positive cases of Dutch elm disease (DED) in three elm trees in the Varsity View neighbourhood, one case in North Park and two in Westmount.  

“We cannot be clearer than this: do not store elm wood on your property,” says Thai Hoang, Director of Parks. “Keeping elm wood – whether it is to burn in your fire pit or for other uses – threatens our historic tree canopy which we all love so much. About a quarter of our urban forest is elm.” 

Hoang says Parks has conducted 91 tests and so far, received results from 54 trees. 

“From those, there have been six trees that have tested positive for Dutch Elm Disease. As part of our response we will be removing a total of eight trees.” 

While Hoang points out City Council increased the Parks budget to prevent the spread of DED, he reminds Saskatoon residents they need to check their properties for Elm. City staff have already seized 2000 kg of elm wood in sweeps of the Varsity View neighbourhood following a previous DED tree removal.  

Hoang says typically the leaves on American elm trees with DED will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. He says if anyone suspects an unhealthy elm tree or are unsure of what type of firewood they have, they can take a photo and complete the online form or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890. 

Hoang reminds residents they can help prevent Dutch elm disease by:  

• Never storing elm wood or branches. Don’t buy or take elm wood from anyone and don’t burn it. 
• Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31). 
• Disposing of elm wood at the Saskatoon Landfill. 
• Do not take elm to the compost depot or put it in your green bin. Dispose of it immediately, disposal of residential elm wood at the Landfill is free.  

This is a visual representation of what Woodlawn Cemetery would look like if all its memorial and historic elms were lost to DED.

“We’re getting a better idea of how the Saskatoon landscape would change if DED were to keep progressing, but it can be curtailed, get rid of elm wood and if you’re not sure what you have send us a picture.” 

The City has already initiated its DED Response Plan, which includes:  

• Immediate removal of the positive tree(s) and disposal at the City landfill  
• Increased surveillance of the surrounding area to search for stored elm wood  
• Sampling of symptomatic trees within one kilometre of the infected tree  
• Continuing regular elm surveillance and cyclical pruning of trees in parks and on boulevards  

What will happen in impacted areas? 

Parks staff will be conducting surveillance around impacted areas. Surveillance of these areas includes checking every property for elm firewood or brush and removing it when it is found. If residents are not home, staff will remove the elm wood and leave an Elm Infraction Notice with a note indicating that the wood was removed. 

As part of the Forest Resource Management Act, the Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Regulations, 2005 allow inspectors to enter private property to inspect for elm wood, remove elm wood and sample private elm trees. In accordance with the regulations, property owners will be asked to remove and dispose of infected elm trees. 

What is DED? 

DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. In Saskatoon, elms make up 25% of our urban forest. 

How is DED spread? 

In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools. 

For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease. 

Spadina Crescent will be closed between 22nd and 23rd streets on Friday, September 6, starting at 5:00 a.m. for the Colliers Cup Charity Street Hockey Tournament. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the event. Roadways are expected to reopen after 9:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are 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.

At its September 11 meeting, the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) of City Council is set to discuss the roadmap for planning Saskatoon’s Downtown and surrounding area. The City Centre and District Plan (Plan) lays out a guide for the land uses, public realm and transportation required to revitalize Downtown. The Plan identifies actionable items, that in partnership with private investment and community, will help make Downtown a more vibrant, safe and livable area.

“The ultimate outcome for Downtown is to be a place that reflects all of Saskatoon – now and into the future,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “A safe and vibrant Downtown is a welcoming and inclusive place for all people to come together in a cooperative spirit. This Plan supports a strong economy, strengthens our diverse community, and is intended to attract people to live, work, play and learn in the Downtown.”

Anderson says the Plan outlines strategic directions for the City of Saskatoon, civic partners, rightsholders, stakeholders, and the public to take the vision of the Plan from abstract to action. It establishes the Downtown Event and Entertainment District (District) within Saskatoon’s broader City Centre and also updates the City Centre Plan. City staff, in consultation with technical consultants and incorporating input from the community, incorporated the decisions that have been made since approval of the existing City Centre Plan in 2013.

“While the event centre-arena and expanded convention centre are anchors for the District, the City Centre and District Plan is the much broader geographic and thematic plan to revitalize the entire Downtown through land uses, connections, green spaces and other approaches,” Anderson says. “It will be important with or without the anchor facilities as a platform for creating the conditions needed to create a vibrant Downtown Saskatoon.”

Outlined in the Plan is guidance and direction for designing streets, creating new plazas and park spaces and shaping land-use policy for the District and the broader City Centre. It includes strategies to improve connectivity and mobility as well as a framework to promote safety, heritage and culture to foster an inclusive, accessible City Centre and District.

Developing and re-envisioning Downtown Saskatoon has been identified as a priority area in the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

The full report can be found on the GPC agenda at saskatoon.ca.

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

NEW

CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM BUTE ST TO CASCADE ST
(Connection replacement)
Start: September 5, 8:00 a.m. End: September 5, 4:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB LEFT TURN LANES CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: September 5, 9:00 a.m. End: September 5, 3:00 p.m.

HIGHWAY 11 SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO VIC BLVD
(Pavement marking)
Start: September 5, 7:00 p.m. End: September 5, 5:00 a.m.

WARMAN RD SB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: September 5, 7:00 p.m. End: September 6, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

MILLAR AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO 43RD ST E
(Pavement markings)
Start: September 4, 7:00 p.m. End: September 5, 5:00 a.m.

NEAULT RD NB LANES CLOSED FROM KENSINGTON GATE W TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: September 4, 7:00 a.m. End: September 5, 5:00 p.m.

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM CRESCENT BLVD TO FAIRLIGHT DR
(Infrastructure improvements)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 6, 4:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD WEST SIDE OF ROUND-A-BOUT CLOSED AT TASKAMANWA ST
(Service install)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 6, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Gas main repair)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 4:30 p.m.

20TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 1ST AVE S
(Streetscaping)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(Construction)
Start: July 31, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 5:00 p.m.

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM OSBORNE ST TO WINDSOR ST
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 8, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT AVE E S
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 7, 7:00 a.m. End: September 9, 4:30 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD TO HENRY DAYDAY RD
(Streetscaping)
Start: August 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 10, 4:30 p.m.

FAITHFULL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 43RD ST E TO 44TH ST E
(Water main maintenance)
Start: September 3, 7:00 a.m. End: September 10, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 19, 7:00 a.m. End: September 16, 5:00 p.m.

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM OSBORNE ST TO WINDSOR ST
(Water main maintenance)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 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.

On September 1, City crews began the annual winterization of the 480 irrigation systems in Saskatoon parks and along roadway streetscapes. Winterization is an important maintenance procedure to help ensure the longevity of the City’s irrigation infrastructure. 

Irrigation winterization involves the use of large compressors that force air through the irrigation system, removing any residual water so it will not freeze within the underground pipes. The force of compressed air exiting through sprinkler heads may pick up and propel debris within the work zone. 

To ensure public safety, residents are asked to follow all signage at work sites, and to stay clear of all sprinkler heads, compressor units and related winterization equipment in the parks during maintenance. 

The winterization process is expected to take seven weeks. For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/parkmaintenance.   

The City’s second cart swap request intake is nearly over. Residents who would like to request a smaller black garbage cart are reminded that cart swap requests are open until end of day Monday, September 9.

Cart swaps will begin September 16 corresponding with collection schedules. More details will be available on saskatoon.ca/cartswap.  

To request a smaller cart, visit saskatoon.ca/utilityaccount and sign up or login to your Utility Account. Residents can also request a cart swap by calling a Corporate Revenue Customer Service Representative at 306-975-2400.

Clarence Avenue will be closed between Bute and Cascade streets on Thursday, September 5, starting at 8:00 a.m. for a connection replacement. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day 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 are 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.