News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City road maintenance operations will shift with weather changes through weekend
January 21, 2022 - 9:23am
The City recommends using caution on streets and sidewalks this weekend, with ongoing snow, fluctuating temperatures and the possibility of rain in the forecast. City crews will be monitoring road conditions and responding to ice and snow as best as they can along priority streets and busy intersections to keep Saskatoon's busiest streets clear.
City crews did an excellent job keeping Circle Drive from freezing overnight as rain, snow and ice pellets fell in Saskatoon. The salt kept the road wet, and the mild temperatures and sunny sky helped dry it out this afternoon before temperatures drop tonight. Salt and sand are being applied on all priority streets, busy intersections, and bridge walkways today, as required.
Up to five centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate over the weekend, which could require a snow event declaration that would call in contractor graders to help the City grade all priority streets quickly.
With higher-than-average snowfalls so far this winter, the snow piles are getting big along all priority streets. Removal of these piles is ongoing; however, it will be interrupted by these weather changes, as staff are reassigned to ensure driving lanes on priority streets are in good condition.
Reminder for people on residential streets where grading did not occur this winter: residential streets will only be graded just prior to the spring melt, if the snowpack on streets is 15 centimetres thick. This would help prevent deep ruts as the snow softens. The graded snow would be stored in piles in the parking lane and would not be removed.
Learn more about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Daily Road Report - January 24, 2022
January 21, 2022 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
WARMAN RD NB & SB CURB LANES CLOSED AT 7TH AVE N
(SaskTel cable pull)
Start: January 24, 9:00 a.m. End: January 26, 3:00 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.
Weekend Road Report - January 22-23, 2022
January 21, 2022 - 2:30pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
ATTRIDGE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE
(Transmission line install)
Start: January 22, 9:00 a.m. End: January 22, 12:00 p.m.
PRESTON AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM INNOVATION BLVD TO RESEARCH DR
(Material unloading)
Start: January 22, 11:00 a.m. End: January 22, 3:00 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.
City snow crews continue to de-ice, drivers and pedestrians cautioned
January 21, 2022 - 1:12am
Saskatoon experienced freezing rain and a light snowfall overnight, creating icy conditions on Saskatoon’s streets and sidewalks. Streets and sidewalks throughout the city became ice-covered from the freezing rain last night and this will make for challenging driving and walking this morning.
Snow crews worked continuously overnight with de-icing operations. Circle Drive is wet and slushy with some slippery spots. 18 sanders worked all night, applying de-icing materials on Saskatoon’s streets with a focus on Circle Drive, bridge decks and intersections along busy streets. Sanders will continue working day and night focusing on high speed and high traffic streets, intersections and bridge decks.
Drivers should adjust their driving for this morning’s road conditions, slow down and use extra caution, leave extra room between cars, and watch for blue and yellow flashing lights on the City’s road equipment.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Freezing rain warning issued: City road crews ready
January 20, 2022 - 12:12pm
Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Saskatoon. Freezing rain is expected to end later this evening and turn into snow combined with heavy winds toward the morning.
Freezing rain and blowing are anticipated to cause slippery conditions and visibility issues on Saskatoon streets overnight and into Friday morning. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution on the streets and sidewalks. Morning commuters may want to leave early.
18 sanders will be spreading de-icing materials on Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections overnight. 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 - January 21, 2022
January 20, 2022 - 3:00pm
*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.
Saskatoon Transit possible delays and cancellations
January 20, 2022 - 7:48am
- At temperatures of -20C and below, buses do not kneel, however the ramp at the front can still be deployed. Ask for it to be deployed should it be required.
- Stay up to date on weather conditions, weather conditions change quickly, and you need to be prepared.
- Dress for the weather, wear comfortable, loose-fitting layers to trap body heat and allow you to add and remove layers depending on the weather conditions.
Saskatoon Transit continues to experience delays or cancellations because of cold temperatures affecting buses and lack of spare parts or delays in the shipment of parts due to the Omicron variant, which in turn causes bus shortages.
Saskatoon Transit does all they can to make service and it’s difficult to know in advance which routes will be affected or cancelled. As soon as decisions are made, service alerts are issued to ensure riders have the information they need. On-Demand customers may also experience longer wait times than normal. Please expect delays in your booked ride and continue to check your pick-up time on your app.
Before leaving to catch the bus check for service alerts and real-time bus information on the Transit app or Google Maps Transit on desktop or mobile device. Receive push notifications of these alerts when your routes are marked as “favourite” in the app. Service alerts can also be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/service-alerts or on Twitter @stoontransit or by calling our Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.
Winter reminders:
Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience and understanding as we work through this challenging time.
Daily Road Report - January 20, 2022
January 19, 2022 - 3:00pm
*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.
Daily Road Report - January 19, 2022
January 18, 2022 - 5:11am
*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.
City awarded 20th consecutive ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating from S&P Global
January 18, 2022 - 7:40am
- The City's “strong and prudent financial management is a key credit strength” and its “management team is experienced and qualified to effectively enact fiscal policies and respond to external risks.”
- The City “demonstrates good political and managerial strength with its lengthy track record of passing budgets with minimal variations from budgeted revenues and expenses.”
- “Management’s disclosure and transparency are good, and the City prepares robust annual budget documents, with multi-year operating and capital budgets and long-term capital and borrowing plans.”
- The City’s “strong budgetary performance will assist in keeping the debt burden manageable.”
- An “exceptional liquidity position will continue to support its creditworthiness.”
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has reaffirmed the City of Saskatoon’s credit rating as the highest rating possible, a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “Stable” outlook. The City has maintained the ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating for twenty years since S&P first began affirming the City’s credit ratings in 2002.
“We are very pleased to receive S&P Global Ratings ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating today especially given the financial challenges the City and other municipalities have weathered because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This rating supports the City of Saskatoon’s ongoing strong governance and financial management practices,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “The City’s prudent financial management and strategies have allowed us to continue providing essential core services while balancing our budgets during the ongoing financial disruption from COVID-19 over the last two years.”
Noting Saskatoon’s diverse economy and observing the City’s “strong operating surpluses and prudent financial management”, today’s release of the S&P Global Ratings report reaffirmed ‘AAA’ long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the City with an outlook that is “Stable”.
S&P expects “the global pandemic will continue to affect economic growth in 2022 as social distancing and other preventative measures slow business activity,” but further note that they “believe this slowdown will be temporary and (Saskatoon’s) economic diversity and ongoing population growth should continue to support GDP per capita growth in line with Canada's over the forecast horizon.”
“Maintaining the City’s ‘AAA’ rating which includes a stable outlook, is important as it supports our confidence in our budgetary decisions, financial management and overall economic outlook for the City of Saskatoon,” adds Hack. “We are a municipal leader and remain assured in our ability to minimize debt as we commit to priorities within the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and undertake long-term planning for infrastructure to support our great quality of life in Saskatoon.”
Key rationale within the January 18, 2022, S&P Global Ratings Direct® Report include:
Credit ratings are one of several tools that investors and lenders use when making decisions regarding an organization’s future financial strengths and weaknesses. For the City of Saskatoon, the ‘AAA’/Stable rating serves as an indication of the credit risk and ability to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. This also identifies the credit quality of the City’s debt issue and can translate into lower interest rates for favourable credit ratings since there is minimal or low risk associated with the City’s debt.
To learn more about the City of Saskatoon’s financial performance and credit rating, visit saskatoon.ca.