News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
14 sanders at work on the roads with significant drop in temperatures and snow
October 28, 2023 - 7:08am
Saskatoon’s temperature dropped to minus 16 overnight with a windchill of minus 25 combined with about 2 centimetres of snow beginning in the afternoon on Friday, October 27 into the overnight hours. This is not a snow event, which takes 5 centimetres of snow or more.
The weather conditions are a recipe for icy bridge decks, ramps and intersections. City crews are de-icing these along with high-speed roads such as Circle Drive and freeways. Sanders were on the go all night and 14 sanders continue this work today. Road conditions are continuously monitored 24/7.
The City reminds drivers and pedestrians that even with the use of de-icing material, extra moisture may cause slippery conditions during peak driving times, especially on bridges where ice particles may be in the air above the river. Please slow down and adjust driving to the conditions.
Changing weather conditions can also affect sidewalks and caution is advised.
Please watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for the operators to do their work safely.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the snow with the Snow & Ice Report at saskatoon.ca/snowreport.
Daily Road Report - October 30, 2023
October 27, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
1ST AVE N NB MEDIAN & LEFT TURN LANES CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 30, 9:00 a.m. End: October 30, 3:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT AVE I N
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 30, 9:00 a.m. End: October 30, 3:00 p.m.
FAIRLIGHT DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM DIEFENBAKER DR TO GROPPER CRES
(Street light replacement)
Start: October 30, 10:00 a.m. End: October 30, 1:00 p.m.
ONGOING
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(SaskEnergy construction)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR SB CLOSED FROM BRIGHTON CIRCLE TO BRIGHTON COMMON
(Jersey barrier relocation)
Start: October 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 7:00 a.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM HORNER CRES TO ORBAN WAY
(Service connections)
Start: October 25, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 6:00 p.m.
22ND ST E EB CURB & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM AUDITORIUM AVE TO 1ST AVE S
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: December 15, 4:00 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.
Weekend Road Report - October 28-29, 2023
October 27, 2023 - 2:30pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
CIRCLE DR S SB RAMP CLOSED AT VALLEY RD
(Washout maintenance)
Start: October 28, 7:00 a.m. End: October 28, 11:00 a.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AS WELL AS WB MEDIAN & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Deficiency repairs)
Start: October 28, 7:00 a.m. End: October 28, 7:00 p.m.
WARMAN RD NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 28, 9:00 a.m. End: October 28, 3:00 p.m.
2ND AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Traffic squeeze into parking lane.
Start: October 28, 9:00 a.m. End: October 28, 3:00 p.m.
VALLEY RD EB EXIT CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Road work)
Start: October 28, 10:00 a.m. End: October 28, 5:00 p.m.
8TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT EMERSON AVE
(Groundwater monitoring)
Start: October 29, 7:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(SaskEnergy construction)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR SB CLOSED FROM BRIGHTON CIRCLE TO BRIGHTON COMMON
(Jersey barrier relocation)
Start: October 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 7:00 a.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM HORNER CRES TO ORBAN WAY
(Service connections)
Start: October 25, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 6:00 p.m.
22ND ST E EB CURB & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM AUDITORIUM AVE TO 1ST AVE S
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: December 15, 4:00 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.
Valley Road at Circle Drive closed on Saturday
October 27, 2023 - 7:00am
Valley Road eastbound exit to Circle Drive will be closed for road work on Saturday, October 28, starting at 10:00 a.m. Access will be maintained from the Circle Drive northbound ramp. 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.
Circle Drive ramp to Valley Road closed on Saturday
October 27, 2023 - 6:00am
The Circle Drive southbound ramp to Valley Road will be closed for washout maintenance on Saturday, October 28, starting at 7:00 a.m. This project is expected to take four hours 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.
Saskatoon Transit bus involved in collision
October 26, 2023 - 5:09pm
A Saskatoon Transit bus was involved in a collision with a school bus this afternoon at the intersection of Hazen Street and Alexandra Avenue.
Saskatoon Transit is cooperating fully with the police investigation. There’s no word of charges against the Transit operator who has been transported to hospital with a shoulder injury. There are no further reports to Saskatoon Transit of any other injuries.
The Transit bus was transporting passengers and a relief bus was dispatched to pick up these riders.
As is the practice anytime a Transit bus is involved in a traffic incident, there will be an internal investigation conducted by Saskatoon Transit.
Daily Road Report - October 27, 2023
October 26, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
VICTORIA AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 5TH ST E TO 6TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: October 27, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 12:00 p.m.
LORNE AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO MAPLE ST E
(Connection repairs)
Start: October 27, 12:00 p.m. End: October 27, 4:00 p.m.
ONGOING
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(SaskEnergy construction)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 5:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM HORNER CRES TO ORBAN WAY
(Service connections)
Start: October 25, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 6:00 p.m.
22ND ST E EB CURB & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM AUDITORIUM AVE TO 1ST AVE S
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: December 15, 4:00 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.
Road restrictions east of the Circle Drive North Bridge on Saturday
October 26, 2023 - 1:45pm
The eastbound median lane and westbound centre and median lanes on Circle Drive east of the Circle Drive North Bridge will be closed for barrier work on Saturday, October 28, starting at 7:00 a.m.
Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take twelve hours 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.
First climate budget proposed for 2024-25 Business Plan and Municipal Budget deliberations
October 26, 2023 - 10:35am
- Bus Rapid Transit and electrification - system improvements for Saskatoon Transit and bus purchases;
- Water-saving measures at spray pads/paddling pools and irrigation upgrades in parks which will result in operational savings;
- Civic facility improvements - such as renovations at Archibald Arena;
- Managing the long-term viability of the landfill and reducing waste through the Material Recovery Centre operation, restoration of landfill gas wellfield, and development of a bulky waste program; and
- Green Pathways initiatives that enhance the green network through existing planned projects like park upgrades and storm sewer trunk and collection.
- The LEC reduction goal for 2025 = 201,500 tonnes of CO2e (100 per cent)
- Funded projects estimate = 1,200 tonnes of CO2e reduction (0.6 per cent of the LEC reduction goal)
- Unfunded projects = 18,800 tonnes CO2e reduction at full build-out (9.3 per cent of the goal)
- After combining funded and unfunded projects, there is a gap of undefined projects required to achieve 181,500 tonnes of CO2e reduction, or 90.1 per cent.
As directed by City Council, Saskatoon will consider its first Climate Budget during the 2024-25 Business Plan and Municipal Budget deliberations on November 28-30, 2023.
The Funding Environmental Sustainability Actions and Climate Budget Report responds to a request from the Standing Policy Committee on Environment Utilities and Corporate Services (EUCS) and will be on the November 1 agenda. It includes a preview of the Climate Budget as well as details of the resources needed to progress the Low Emissions Community (LEC) and Green Pathways plans. It outlines both funded and unfunded projects related to these plans.
“What City Council has asked us to do is come up with measures that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gases that will require investments in the short term”, says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “The ultimate expectation, looking 30 years out, is that these measures will make us more resilient and efficient while meeting our climate commitments.”
A climate budget is a governance system that establishes actions that the City needs to take in the short-term to achieve long-term targets as set out in the climate action plan. By integrating the Climate Budget into financial budget decision-making processes, climate and environmental impacts are understood before they occur. This creates a coordinated approach with other budgeting considerations, such as societal impacts, asset management, safety, and economics.
If significant global climate action is not taken, ClimateWest (Costs of Climate Change Report, March 2023) estimates by 2050, the direct annual economic impacts of climate change in Saskatchewan will be $3.1B or $1,875 per capita. ClimateWest projects damage to electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure due to climate change to cost $65-95M annually by 2050 in Saskatchewan alone. Annual flood damages are expected to cost $70-80M, while costs due to delays arising from increased road and rail damage are expected to be $65-125M in the province by 2050.
The 2024-25 Climate Budget presents a two-year window within the 30-year Low Emissions Community (LEC) Plan. The LEC Plan was created to improve the community’s long-term resiliency and efficiency to achieve the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target incrementally over time.
Seventy-five per cent of the projects in the Climate Budget support efficient civic operations and services, enhance resiliency, and/or promote sound asset management; these are recommended for funding in the 2024/2025 Business Plan and Budget. These projects also have environmental benefits; most will achieve GHG reductions, some will result in utility cost savings or improve green network resilience and performance. Subject to City Council’s approval, the funded projects include:
Funding for the initiatives listed comes from capital reserves, external non-City funding, and loans.
The unfunded projects are still required to progress City goals and plans, even if they do not move forward this budget cycle. These projects may be reconsidered in the next budget cycle, or if priorities and/or resource availability changes. Some of these projects could be funded through loans that pay themselves back with savings, such as loans to the community or fleet electrification. Other projects would require new funds, for instance from property taxes; this has not been recommended at this time.
The GHG reductions estimated from projects in the 2024-2025 Climate Budget includes:
The 2024-2025 Climate Budget GHG projection is a conservative estimate; it does not include reductions from projects with high uncertainty that could not be quantified (e.g., active transportation, bus rapid transit); or reductions from projects that were implemented in 2022/2023 (like organics, landfill gas expansion, and others) that could amount to more than 40,000 tonnes of CO2e reductions each year.
You can find additional information at Saskatoon.ca/ClimateBudget and Saskatoon.ca/ClimateChange.
Victoria Avenue closed from 5th to 6th streets on Friday
October 26, 2023 - 6:00am
Victoria Avenue will be closed from 5th to 6th streets for water main work on Friday, October 27, starting at 7:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take five hours 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.