News Releases

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community and in light of the decision to close City Hall and civic facilities.

Temporary changes to Saskatoon Pay Parking Zones

Effective immediately payment is no longer required in any City of Saskatoon designated pay parking zones in Saskatoon. In addition, motorists will not be required to adhere to posted time limits in these zones. This is to encourage residents to stay in place and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Important information:

• Parking lots operated by private operators are not exempted from pay parking unless otherwise indicated at the lot.
• FlexParking stations and the Way to Park app will be reprogrammed to indicate that payment is not required, however this may take some time. The City will not be able to reimburse payment to people who pay for parking while such work is being completed.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• No Stopping signs
• No Parking signs
• Accessible Parking signs
• Fire Hydrants   (maintain one metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Transit

Saskatoon Transit Service will be modified effective Monday, as follows: 

• No university extras
• No high school extras
• Three (3) High Frequency Corridors (HFC) include the 8’s & 80’s (8^th Street), 60’s (22^nd Street) and 4’s & 40’s (University Heights)
  
  • will have 15 minute frequency Monday - Friday from start of day until approx. 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 30 minute frequency
  • will have 30 minute frequency Saturday & Sunday all day
• All other routes (excluding HFC)
  
  • will have 30 minute frequency from start of day until approximately 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 60 minute frequency
• Sunday service
  
  • HFC will have 30 minute frequency all day
  • All other routes will have 60 minute frequency
• Service may be added when possible to routes experiencing “full buses” and service may be removed from routes with empty buses, based on operational need

Transit will also monitor where full, standing room only buses are and try to put extra service onto those routes to enable people to maintain appropriate social distance. 

To assist with social distancing, Access Transit is scheduling direct trips as much as possible.

Waste Collections

A core service, waste collections continue as scheduled. During this time, residents are asked to help protect the health and safety of our staff and partners and reduce the spread of the virus by following these guidelines:

• Bag your garbage
• Ensure accessible cart placement (1.2 metres (4 feet) of unobstructed space on all sides) to avoid the need for drivers to handle the cart.
• Do NOT overfill carts or leave loose items on the ground
• Do NOT place used tissues and napkins in your cart or bin as they can become wind-blown when the lid opens during collection
• If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into your bagged garbage – even items that residents may normally place into your blue cart or bin (e.g. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, milk/juice cartons, etc.).

Landfill Payments

Beginning Monday, March 23, the City will stop accepting cash transactions at the Landfill to help reduce the spread of the virus.  Credit and debit card payments will remain available, as well as direct invoicing options for those haulers who have commercial accounts with the City.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

The upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day scheduled for Sunday, April 5 has been cancelled. If residents have HHW material that must be dealt with urgently, and if the situation permits, residents can consult the Waste Wizard to find other means of safe disposal for this material. If residents intend on dropping off materials at businesses that accept HHW, please contact them first to ensure they are open and in a position to accept them.

Purchasing Services

Purchasing Services is now closed to the public, meaning the City will no longer accepting paper or hard copy bid submissions. Starting March 19, the City will be begin accepting email bid submissions. Email bid submissions must meet the requirements within the solicitation document.

Projects currently posted on SaskTenders will have specific instructions issued via Addenda and include information and directions for successful bid submission. 

Any new projects posted to SaskTenders by the City will have the updated bid submission requirements within the solicitation document.

Bylaw Court Closed

All City Bylaw matters set for Court will not be heard between March 23 and May 31. Defendants do not need to do anything at this time, and no convictions of defendants will occur during the Bylaw Court closure.

The City will be reviewing these matters and will contact defendants or publish a notice. For more information, contact the City Solicitor's Office directly at 306-975-3270 or by email at city.solicitor@saskatoon.ca.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca.

The City welcomes a decision of the provincial government to place further restrictions on social gatherings.

“Based on discussions with our Director of Emergency Management, City Council and Senior Administration I gave notice for a Special City Council meeting at 3:30 this afternoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This was done in anticipation of needing to take further steps in addressing the growing concern that as we try to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, gathering in restaurants and bars was an ongoing risk in our community.

“Based on the announcement today by the provincial government that additional restrictions for bars and restaurants will be included in the Provincial State of Emergency restrictions, the Special City Council meeting is cancelled."

“We thank the Province for providing leadership with this difficult decision,” Mayor Clark says. “We know it has significant impacts on many local businesses”

Mayor Clark adds this decision will meet the local advice he is hearing from the City’s Emergency Management team about what is needed to keep our community as safe as possible at this time. 

Director of Emergency Management Organization Pamela Goulden-McLeod echoes Mayor Clark’s sentiment.

“The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their leadership and direction in enacting the extended measures to support our provinces safety during this unprecedented event,” Goulden-McLeod says.

“The provincial government’s bravery in taking these extraordinary measures will make a significant difference within our communities. We value the hard work of our provincial partners and we continue to look forward working together in this ongoing rapidly changing situation.” 

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

NEW

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM KING ST TO PRINCESS ST
(Water & sewer work)
Start: March 23, 8:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR ROAD CLOSED FROM ST LAURENT CRES TO LLOYD CRES
(Valve replacement)
Start: March 23, 9:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE TO PEMBINA AVE
(Streetlight cable replacement)
Start: March 23, 9:30 a.m. End: March 23, 3:30 p.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
 

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

While the City of Saskatoon acknowledges the severity of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it is having on the community, the City and its construction partners will proceed as planned with the construction on the east half of the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street.

This project is an essential service to residents and core City infrastructure. With a very limited window for construction projects of this magnitude, it is important that such work is completed safely and in the most ideal seasonal conditions. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30. 

“Safety for our crews and for residents is our number one priority during this project,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “Strict worksite restrictions, social distancing, and other precautionary medical measures will be in place to protect both construction crews and residents and to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Major rehabilitation began on the 54-year-old structure last year to ensure it remains safe and structurally sound for years to come. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction, however lane restrictions and traffic delays are expected.

From March 30 until mid-October, the northbound lanes heading into downtown will be closed and two-way traffic will be accommodated in the southbound lanes. The bridge walkway and stairs will also be closed for construction. The Meewasin trails will remain open, however there may be a closure directly under the south side of the bridge for a portion of the construction season.

The Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project includes:

• Resurfacing of the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street 
• Walkway widening with taller barriers for improved pedestrian protection
• New drainage system to help better traction by reducing puddles and splashing
• Concrete deck repairs and asphalt replacement
• Strengthening of piers
• Barrier replacement

The City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need to rehabilitate the bridge. The project was phased over two years to allow two-way traffic over the bridge to be maintained throughout construction.

Necessary adjustments will be made to traffic signal timing and construction signage will be in place. The left turn onto 20^th Street from Idylwyld Drive northbound will not be permitted, however a U-turn will be implemented at Auditorium Avenue. Updated project information is posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold and restrictions will be listed in the Daily Road Report.

The City of Saskatoon is utilizing $15 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) allocations towards the Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project. The GTF in Saskatchewan is administered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations.

The City thanks drivers and pedestrians for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers. 

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

NEW

2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO SAUNDERS PL
(Crane repairs)
Start: March 21, 5:00 a.m. End: March 21, 6:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM WILSON CRES TO GLASGOW ST
(Tree pruning)
Start: March 22, 8:00 a.m. End: March 22, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHTWORK

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 20, 7:00 p.m. End: March 21, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Diefenbaker Drive, between St. Laurent and Lloyd crescents, will be closed starting Monday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. to replace a valve. This work is expected to take two days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  

Saskatoon Transit will continue to operate as scheduled. Transit service alerts, regarding detours or temporary bus stop closures, and real-time bus locations are available on third party apps like Transit and Google Transit on desktop.  

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Transit fare suspension and rear door boarding effective Friday, March 20

To reduce the risk to Transit Operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting Friday, Saskatoon Transit will ask riders to get on and off buses by using the rear doors. Transit also reminds riders to keep a safe distance — at least one metre — from bus operators and fellow riders.

As a result, the City will also be suspending fares indefinitely.  The City will be determining how to compensate those affected by this and those details will be provided soon.

Anyone who requires personal mobility devices will be exempt from entering the rear doors and will be permitted to enter and exit through the front doors as usual.

Please note: all riders will be required to stay behind the front wheel wells and to keep the seats behind the operator free at all times. This measure will meet the new recommendation for social distancing released by the Province of Saskatchewan on Wednesday March 18.  Transit will also monitor where and when extra buses may need to be added onto routes to help people maintain appropriate social distance.

Saskatoon Transit is also reassuring customers of Transit’s daily cleaning protocols, which include regular hard surface wipe-downs with hospital-grade disinfectant and disinfectant misting treatments.

Parking Restrictions for Residential Parking Program Zones Suspended

Effective immediately parking restrictions for the Residential Parking Program zones are suspended until further notice.  In addition, overtime parking on all residential streets will no longer be enforced, to encourage residents to stay home and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• "No Stopping" signs
• "No Parking" signs
• "Accessible Parking" signs
• Fire Hydrants (maintain 1 metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Further details on these parking restrictions are provided on the City of Saskatoon website: saskatoon.ca/moving-around/parking/understanding-parking-saskatoon

Building Standards

The decision to close City Hall to the public has a direct effect on the way we do business, including providing building inspections and permits:

• All building and plumbing inspections are suspended while the City explores options to provide inspections in a safe manner.
• Residential applications are limited to online.
• Property Information Disclosure (PID) applications accepted via building.standards@saskatoon.ca
• Plumbing permit applications accepted via plumbing.permits@saskatoon.ca
• Payments will be accepted via telephone at 306.975.2645.
• New commercial permit applications will not be accepted. The City is exploring opportunities to provide online access to this program.

As the situation is evolving, we will update the Building Standards webpages regularly if there are service limitations.

Questions? Reach out to our permit file support team by calling (306) 975-2645 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is the City doing to provide financial relief for citizens?

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your utility payments through the following changes:

Utility Services

We will continue to bill for utility services as normal.  However, to best serve the City’s customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

• Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
• Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
• We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship.  However, our staff will continue to work with the City’s utility customers regarding payment arrangements so as to not leave them in a difficult financial situation in the future.

Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper handwashing and personal hygiene.

Have utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

2020 Property Taxes

Your 2020 Property Tax notice will be delivered by the end of May 2020.

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment. On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020. However:

• The City is extending to you, a three-month grace period, allowing you additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax amount due.
• You will not incur any penalties on your 2020 taxes if your property tax payment is made in full before September 30, 2020.

Have property tax-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

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

NIGHTWORK

33RD ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO ALBERTA AVE
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST E TO 34TH ST E
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR N
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 20, 7:00 p.m. End: March 21, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E ROTATING LANE RESTRICTIONS AT PRESTON AVE S
(Red light camera installation)
Start: March 17, 9:00 a.m. End: March 20, 3:00 p.m.

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 31ST ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Sewer connection replacement)
Start: March 18, 8:00 a.m. End: March 20, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

The City of Saskatoon is closing to the public all its facilities including City Hall; this follows the provincial government declaration of a public emergency for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“While we are closed to the public, our business operations will continue to provide essential services for our residents as much as possible,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson.

Jorgenson says this move is an important preventative measure. It will help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection in Saskatoon and protect City staff, as well as vulnerable populations, which include seniors and people with compromised immune systems.

The City reminds the public that we offer many online services which are listed at: www.saskatoon.ca/onlineservices

“We continue to work with internal and external partners, including the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada on a proactive approach to deal with COVID-19,” Jorgenson says. 

The City continues to thank its staff and citizens for their patience and support. Jorgenson says as City leaders continue to respond to a rapidly evolving situation meanwhile promising to provide information as it becomes available.
The provincial health ministry encourages everyone to be mindful of good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing. For those who have risk factors such as old age, or underlying health issues, medical experts encourage those people to stay away from crowded areas.

The City of Saskatoon continues to encourage the community to reach out to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and to those organizations that assist with our vulnerable homeless population.  

We are constantly reassessing the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and residents.  We will also continue to reassess the way we deliver services to the public in order to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

Water valve repairs will close a section of Avenue H between 22nd Street and 23rd Street on April 19, 2018. This work is scheduled to take one day to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.  

  What you can expect from us

• Avenue H will be closed to traffic between 22nd Street and 23rd Street on Thursday, April 19.
• Detour signs will be in place well in advance of the work zone, directing traffic around the area.
• Transit Route 3 Hudson Bay/ City Centre will be impacted by this construction zone. Please consult the app called Transit for details.

 How you can help us​​

• Drivers are advised to expect delays and may want to reroute their commute and avoid the area if possible.
• Plan your bus route in advance online at Saskatoontransit.ca or on your mobile device with the real-time Google Maps or Transit App.  
• Refer to the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map for updates and more information.

The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs, and barriers.