News Releases

The University Bridge has reopened after a fire underneath the bridge deck late Sunday night resulted in damage to a sanitary sewer main and a full bridge closure.  

The bridge reopened following a structural inspection this morning, however, traffic restrictions are in place until the sanitary sewer line, which was melted by the fire, can be repaired. A temporary bypass line will remain on a section of the east end of the bridge and on the north walkway, which remains closed.

“Until the sanitary sewer line is repaired, and the bypass line is no longer needed, traffic is being accommodated with one lane in each direction,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “Signage is in place and drivers are encouraged to utilize the zipper merging technique by taking turns at the merge points.”

The City of Saskatoon continues to work closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as wastewater spilled out of the damaged sanitary sewer line onto the bridge arches and riverbank below. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge remains closed as the cleanup continues. The walkway under the far west end of the bridge also remains temporarily closed to accommodate the bypass sanitary sewer line. The south walkway of the bridge and the Meewasin Trail on the west side of the bridge are open.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

Lorne Avenue will be closed between Hilliard and Isabella streets starting this morning for unplanned water main repairs. 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.

The University Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since early Monday morning due to a fire which resulted in damage to a sanitary sewer main underneath the bridge, will be inspected tomorrow. If there are no structural concerns and the bridge re-opens, traffic restrictions will be in place until the damaged sanitary sewer line can be repaired.

“Heat from the fire melted the sewer line, so until the repair is complete, a temporary bypass line will remain on a section of the east end of the bridge deck and on the north walkway,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “At this time, we don’t have a timeline for repair.”

The City of Saskatoon has been working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to comply with regulations, and today crews are on the scene cleaning up frozen wastewater that spilled out of the damaged sanitary sewer line. The City will then be able to safely access under the bridge to conduct tomorrow’s inspection.

The walkway on the north side of the University Bridge is closed, but the south walkway is open. For safety, pedestrians and cyclists are advised to stay on the south walkway and off the bridge deck. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge and the walkway under the far west end of the bridge are closed. The Meewasin Trail on the west side of the bridge remains open.

Saskatoon Transit is 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.

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

NEW

WARMAN RD NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM PRIMROSE DR TO ASSINIBOINE DR
(Tree maintenance)
Start: January 22, 9:00 a.m. End: January 22, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR W TO EDMONTON AVE
(Rail maintenance)
Start: January 22, 10:00 a.m. End: January 22, 12:00 p.m.

33RD ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM EDMONTON AVE TO CIRCLE DR W
(Rail maintenance)
Start: January 22, 11:00 a.m. End: January 22, 1:00 p.m.

ONGOING

COLLEGE DR ROAD CLOSED ON UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Sewer repairs)
Start: January 20, 6:00 a.m. End: January 22, 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: January 24, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault work)
Start: January 6, 8:00 a.m. End: January 31, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 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.

Join us in celebrating Archives Week with the grand opening of the new City Archives location at Civic Square East! 

The City of Saskatoon Archives has moved and is inviting the public to celebrate and tour their new location next to City Hall.

Event Details:

Tuesday, February 4

• 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
  Guided tour of Archives
  Location: City Archives, 202 4th Ave N, Ground Floor, Civic Square East (CSE)
  Note: Access to the Archives will be through Door No. 2. 
• 7:15 to 9:30 p.m.
  Program
  Location: Bassment, Civic Square East, 202 4th Ave N
  Doors open for the program at 6:30 p.m.

This grand opening event will feature:

• Tour the Archives: Take a guided tour of the facility with City Archivist Jeff O’Brien and Assistant City Archivist Ken Dahl 
• Introductory remarks by City Clerk Adam Tittemore and a formal dedication by Mayor Cynthia Block at 7:15  
• "Letters from History" with speakers including Jeff O'Brien (City of Saskatoon Archives) and Amy Putnam (University of Saskatchewan Archives and Special Collections), as well as musical guest Terry Hoknes, and Master of Ceremonies Rob MacDonald.
• All-ages event

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into our past and connect with fellow history enthusiasts. Mark your calendars and join us for a memorable Archives Week celebration at the City Archives grand opening!

A fire that started underneath the University Bridge overnight is extinguished, but the bridge remains closed to traffic. Detours are in place.

Heat from the fire melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line underneath the bridge. A temporary 500 metre bypass line is now in place and operational. Arrangements are being made for a contractor to repair the damaged sanitary sewer line.

City engineers have completed an initial assessment of the bridge and there appears to be no structural concerns, however a bridge inspection has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 22. Although the bridge will remain closed to traffic until the inspection is completed or the damaged sanitary sewer line can be repaired, the pedestrian walkway on the south side of the University Bridge remains open. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge is closed.

Saskatoon Transit is 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.

21st Street will be closed at Spadina Crescent on Tuesday, January 21, starting at 7:00 a.m. for unplanned water main repairs. 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.

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

NEW

21ST ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT SPADINA CRES E
(Water main repair)
Start: January 21, 7:00 a.m. End: TBA

AVE P N ROAD CLOSED FROM 23RD ST W TO BEDFORD RD
(Manhole repair)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 21, 12:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB MEDIAN & CENTRE LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Valve maintenance)
Start: January 21, 1:00 p.m. End: January 21, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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: January 24, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 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.

University Bridge is closed due to an apparent encampment fire under the bridge. Traffic detours are in place. Fire crews remain on the scene; they are monitoring and extinguishing hot spots that have arisen due to the difficult access and confined space.  

City engineers have been on scene overnight, the bridge has been inspected and there are no structural concerns with the bridge. 

At 9:57 p.m. Sunday, January 19, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire underneath the University Bridge closest to the east riverbank. When SFD crews arrived they identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge.  

 As a result of the fire, heat has melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line under the bridge. This has led to a break in the sewer line and sewage is leaking onto the riverbank. The Water Security Agency has been notified. 

Water and Wastewater crews are working to set up a bypass for the sewer line and doing modelling to ensure there is enough capacity so residents don’t experience sewer backups.  

University Bridge is expected to remain closed to traffic for most of the day, however the south side pedestrian walkway will be open and accessible from the top. The Meewasin trail underneath the bridge on the east side of the river will remain closed due to the sewage leak.  

Saskatoon Transit will 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. 

University bridge is shut down completely due to a fire under the bridge. Detours are in place. Drivers are asked to re-route their commute and pedestrians are asked to avoid University Bridge area while crews remain on scene.

Saskatoon Transit will 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.

At 9:57 p.m. the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire at Spadina Crescent and 25th Street East. SFD crews responded and identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge. Assessments of this incident are ongoing.

More information will be shared once available.