News Releases

Starting December 1, Saskatoon Transit’s Jingle Bell Express (Route 1225) is back, offering a festive and convenient way to travel between shopping malls during the holiday season.

Route 1225 will run on weekends in December, with free fares on Boxing Day, December 26. Two buses will circulate in opposite directions to connect holiday shoppers and commuters to Saskatoon’s five malls, Midtown, Confederation, Lawson Heights, Centre and Market, bypassing the hassles of winter driving and crowded parking lots.

Route Information:

• Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays): 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Excluding December 28 and 29
  • Regular fares apply.
• Boxing Day (December 26): 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
  • Free fares apply.

To plan a trip, search Route 1225 in the Transit App or Google Maps Transit, or check the route schedule on Saskatoon Transit’s website.

Jingle Bell Express riders can scan the QR code poster on the buses to complete a short survey for a chance to win one of five prize packages, including gift cards sponsored by the participating malls.

Catch the holiday spirit and make your shopping experience merry and bright with Saskatoon Transit’s Jingle Bell Express! For more information on Route 1225, visit SaskatoonTransit.ca/JingeBell.

Starting December 2024, Green Cart collection in Saskatoon will shift to monthly service for the winter months (December, January, February, and March). This change aligns with direction from City Council received on June 4, 2024.

After the first year of the city-wide Green Cart program, data indicated lower volumes of collected materials and fewer carts set out during winter due to less seasonal yard waste. The City had also received feedback from residents requesting reduced collection throughout winter, which aligns with this data. The savings realized from this change in service will be returned to the waste utility stabilization reserve and will be reflected in the green cart utility rates starting in 2026.

Visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar to check your collection dates or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app. Green carts will be collected once every four weeks. Please note that updated Collection Calendars will not be available online until December 1, 2024. 

Registration for the City’s Winter leisure programs begins Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. by logging into to your account on Leisure Online at leisureonline.saskatoon.ca or by calling 306-975-2800.

Registration for private and semi-private swim lessons and multi-level lessons for families will open on Monday, December 2 by phone only. Call the Leisure Centre that you are interested in taking lessons at to register.

The City would like to remind residents that opening night for registration can be quite busy.  We sincerely appreciate your patience during this time.  While additional online and telephone resources are in place to make the process run as smoothly as possible, there will be many people registering at once.

We recommend having a list of alternative options ready in case you do not get into your first choice. If a program is full, join the online wait list - new classes may be created if there is enough demand. Additionally, consider other nearby Leisure Centres if your preferred location isn't available.

When registering with Leisure Online, please note the following:

• Do not use Internet Explorer to complete transactions. Compatible web browsers include Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Ensure your web browser is up to date. Online transactions are not supported using a device or operating system older than Windows 10, Mac OS 10.14, Android 9, iPhone 8.

• Visa and MasterCard are accepted forms of payment for online transactions. Phone to make a payment with American Express. Cash and debit cards are accepted in person.
   
• Leisure program registrations processed through Leisure Online are charged an additional $1.00 (+GST) convenience fee on each program registration. This fee was introduced March 1, 2024, after City Council approved the fee during the 2024-25 budget process.
   
• From 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, images will also be removed from the registered programs page to improve the load time of the page when a high volume of users are on the site at the same time.
   
• Ensure you have an active Leisure Online registration account and know your username and password prior to registration night. If you are unable to access your account, call any Leisure Centre to have your account reset.

To learn more about the registered programs being offered this season, pick up a copy of the City’s Winter Leisure Guide at any City leisure facility, Saskatoon public library or wherever the StarPhoenix is sold. It is also available online at saskatoon.ca/leisureguide.

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

NEW

22ND ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT AVE G N
(Hydrant replacement)
Start: November 28, 8:00 a.m. End: November 28, 4:00 p.m.

ONGOING

29TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE C N TO AVE D N
(Service line replacement)
Start: November 27, 7:00 a.m. End: November 28, 4:30 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 29, 4:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Construction)
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 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: December 13, 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.

Snow grading has been completed on all Priority 1 and 2 streets, and most Priority 3 streets are also finished. Crews are now focusing on cleaning up Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) and finishing school zones, with snow removal in these areas beginning tonight. 

In addition, crews are addressing localized areas of concern and any missed sections. Overnight, snow was cleared from ramps on Circle Drive bridges and overpasses, and this work will continue tonight. 

The City is also seeing improvements in mobility on residential streets, as snow continues to pack down and stabilize, making travel easier for all. The City would also like to remind residents to avoid clearing snow from residential roadways on their own or hiring private contractors. 

Skid steers are clearing snow from accessible loading zones on priority streets, as well as bus stops, to maintain access for residents. Contractor crews will continue to clear sidewalks throughout the city. 

Let’s continue to be good neighbours—look out for each other, keep walkways and driveways clear. Please remember that snow piles can be dangerous for children to play on or dig in, as they may conceal hidden hazards and equipment may be working on or near them at any time. Parents and guardians are urged to keep children safe by avoiding these areas.  

A reminder to all residents: Please avoid blowing or pushing snow onto the streets. This can obstruct mobility for everyone and create potential safety risks for drivers and pedestrians alike. 

To stay updated on the city’s snow clearing progress, residents can monitor the Priority Street Snow Grading Map. For more information on winter road maintenance, visit saskatoon.ca/snow. Be sure to check the latest Snow & Ice Report on saskatoon.ca/SnowReport for up-to-date service alerts. 

Road conditions may affect Saskatoon Transit. For updates on fixed-route and Access Transit services, visit saskatoontransit.ca, check real-time mobile apps, or refer to service alerts on transit and Google Maps. 

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to maintain safe driving conditions in Saskatoon. 

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

NEW

29TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE C N TO AVE D N
(Service line replacement)
Start: November 27, 7:00 a.m. End: November 28, 4:30 p.m.

8TH ST E EB RIGHT TURN LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Manhole inspection)
Start: November 27, 10:00 a.m. End: November 27, 2:00 p.m.

ONGOING

MILLAR AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO 45TH STREET E
(Unplanned water main repair)
Start: November 26, 7:00 a.m. End: November 27, 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 27, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 29, 4:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Construction)
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 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: December 13, 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.

Crews have been working around the clock to keep our streets safe and navigable after the weekend snowfall. All Priority 1 streets have been cleared, and as of this morning, significant progress has been made in grading Priority 2 and 3 streets. Snow removal in the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) will begin Wednesday night and is expected to take 5-6 days. 

Following completion in the BIDs, snow removal will commence on Priority 1 streets to make room for more snow and to improve sight lines. Crews will also begin snow removal in school zones on Wednesday night, with that work estimated to take 5-6 nights. There are currently 36 graders, 16 sanders, five plows addressing drifting and problem areas, and five sidewalk plows working across the city.   

Mobility on residential streets remains acceptable, and crews will continue to inspect and address any areas of concern or safety hazards as they arise. 

Please remember that snow piles can be dangerous for children to play on or dig in, as they may conceal hidden hazards and equipment may be working on or near them at any time. Parents and guardians are urged to keep children safe by avoiding these areas.  

Property owners must clear sidewalks within 48 hours following a snow event. Many residents face accessibility challenges, please be a good neighbour and help make our sidewalks accessible in all seasons, whether on foot, using a mobility device or pushing a stroller. A reminder to all residents: please do not blow or push snow onto the streets. Doing so reduces mobility for everyone and can create safety hazards. 

The status of snow clearing throughout the city can be monitored through the Priority Street Snow Grading Map. Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the know by checking the latest Snow & Ice Report posted to saskatoon.ca/SnowReport and checking for service alerts. 

Saskatoon Transit may be impacted by road conditions, please go to saskatoontransit.ca for messages to riders for fixed-route transit and Access Transit, and check the real-time mobile apps, transit and Google Maps, or visit saskatoontransit.ca/service-alerts.   

Thank you to residents for your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain safe and drivable roads throughout Saskatoon. 

To pay for these core investments, the City uses several non-tax revenue sources, including user fees, investment income, and government transfers, to name a few. Unfortunately, these are not always enough to pay for our community’s priorities.

Thus, the adjusted 2025 Budget proposes a 5.84% property tax increase to maintain service levels, fund strategic initiatives, and importantly, to help the City balance the operating budget, which it must do by law. Despite the proposed property tax increase, the City of Saskatoon has among the lowest property tax levels for both residential and non-residential properties in Canada.

The City’s 2024-25 Business Plan and Budget invests in the areas that matter most to the people of Saskatoon – transportation, public safety, and community support.” In particular, the 2025 Budget builds on the fiscal plan set out by City Council almost two years ago. It delivers record funding into essential projects, services, and programs that reflect the City’s ongoing efforts to balance fiscal sustainability with community priorities.

City Council will deliberate the 2025 Budget starting December 2, 2024.

Millar Avenue will be closed at 43rd Street on Tuesday, November 26, starting at 7:00 a.m. for a water main repair. 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

MILLAR AVE INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 43RD ST E
(Water main repair)
Start: November 26, 7:00 a.m. End: November 26, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

29TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO AVE B N
(Service connection replacements)
Start: November 25, 7:00 a.m. End: November 26, 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 27, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 29, 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: December 6, 5:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Construction)
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 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.