News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
West Compost Depot temporary access restrictions starting Saturday, July 29
July 28, 2023 - 9:00am
The City’s West Compost Depot will have restricted access this weekend due to road work on Highway 7. Starting Saturday there will be no access via 11th Street. Road work will continue the following week, with a complete closure of the West Compost Depot from July 31 to August 4. Access will reopen to the public on Saturday, August 5. The City will provide updates should the work be completed early.
Residents can still access the East Compost Depot located on Highway 5 for drop-off only. During normal operations, the East Compost Depot is open 5 days a week, Thursday through Monday. To accommodate for the closure of the West Compost Depot, the East Compost Depot will also be open Tuesday, August 1 and Wednesday, August 2 for residents and commercial haulers, with extended operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. while the West Compost Depot is closed.
For more information on the City’s Compost Depots, please visit saskatoon.ca/compostdepots.
McKercher Drive intersection closed at Mount Allison Crescent on Saturday
July 28, 2023 - 8:00am
The intersection at McKercher Drive and Mount Allison Crescent will be closed on Saturday, July 29, at 8 a.m. for catch basin replacement work. 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 this detour. 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.
3rd Avenue closed between 22nd and 23rd streets starting Monday
July 28, 2023 - 7:00am
3rd Avenue will be closed between 22nd and 23rd streets starting Monday, July 31, at 7 a.m. for infrastructure upgrade work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take 18 days 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.
Daily Road Report, July 28, 2023
July 27, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
TAYLOR ST E WB PARKING LANE CLOSED AT MCEOWN AVE
(Construction)
Start: July 28, 7:00 a.m. End: July 28, 5:00 p.m.
CUMBERLAND AVE S SB PARKING LANE & SIDEWALK CLOSED FROM 1ST ST E TO TAYLOR ST E
(Service line replacements)
Start: July 28, 7:00 a.m. End: July 28, 7:00 p.m.
PRESTON AVE N SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM PERIMETER RD TO 108TH ST W
(Horizontal boring)
Start: July 28, 7:00 a.m. End: July 29, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING
PRESTON AVE N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PERIMETER RD TO 108TH ST W
(Horizontal boring)
Start: July 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 28, 7:00 a.m.
CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED AT ISABELLA ST E
(Curb Extension)
Start: July 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 29, 4:00 p.m.
PRESTON AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 14TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Roadway paving)
Start: June 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 29, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Food Truck Wars)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 30, 3:00 p.m.
DIEFENBAKER DR EB AND SB PARKING LANES CLOSED AT LLOYD CRES
(Concrete replacement)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 30, 5:00 p.m.
2ND AVE N NB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 26TH ST E TO QUEEN ST
(Building construction)
Start: June 12, 6:00 a.m. End: August 1, 4:30 p.m.
LENORE DR EB CURB & PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM PRIMROSE DR TO LA LOCHE RD
(Sidewalk replacement)
All street intersections will remain open
Start: July 27, 2:00 p.m. End: August 9, 5:00 p.m.
VICTORIA AVE NB PARKING LANE CLOSED AT 6TH ST E
(Water main preservation)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 13, 5:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM OSLER ST TO COLLEGE DR
(Water main upgrades)
Start: July 10, 7:00 a.m. End: September 20, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
BALTZAN BLVD SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM PAYNE BEND TO HORNER CRES
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
New John A. Macdonald Road name proposed: means “good relationship” in Cree
July 26, 2023 - 7:45pm
- August 9, 2023: Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services to consider the recommendation to approve the name
- August 30, 2023: City Council to consider the recommendation to approve the renaming and to direct a Street Name Change Bylaw
- September 27, 2023: City Council to consider the approval of Street Name Change Bylaw
- Fall/Winter 2023: Street sign and map changes
To recognize the City’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, City Council approved on June 28, 2021, the process to rename John A. Macdonald Road, to acknowledge the ongoing harm in the community experienced by Residential School Survivors.
Residential schools took Indigenous children away from their families, cultures and languages to assimilate them – so they would no longer exist as distinct peoples – and were responsible for the hunger, neglect, abuse and death of thousands of Indigenous children in Canada. Indigenous families today continue to experience this pain, grief, loss and inter-generational trauma.
“The City is committed to raising awareness and understanding of residential schools and their ongoing impacts,” says Melissa Cote, Director, Indigenous Initiatives. “We recognize that John A. Macdonald, the first prime minister of Canada, played a significant role in the development of Canada’s Indian residential school system which created and continues to create many harms for Indigenous families.”
Since Council’s direction in 2021, significant work has taken place to rename the road and there is important work still to do. The City has been meeting with Indigenous leaders, Residential School Survivors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and youth, the Saskatoon Intercultural Association, members from the Chinese community, teachers from wâhkôhtowin School and many others to recommend a new name which will be presented to the Civic Naming Committee on August 1, 2023.
The road name that will be proposed to the Civic Naming Committee is miyo-wâhkôhtowin Road – a Cree word meaning good (miyo) relationship (wâhkôhtowin).
“The proposed name reflects the theme of Reconciliation and was thoughtfully and carefully chosen after listening to and learning from the community and the people that continue to be impacted by residential schools and the legacy of John A. Macdonald,” Cote explains. “Residential schools contributed to a breakdown in communities and relationships and division; good relationships will bring us together.”
After the Civic Naming Committee, the next steps in the approval process for the renaming, are:
Throughout the renaming journey, the City has engaged with John A. Macdonald Road property owners and residents and this evening held a meeting to inform them of the proposed name and provide an update on the renaming process. The City will support property owners and residents with having their address changed including approved associated costs. More information on how to access support will be available directly for property owners and residents in the upcoming months.
For more information, visit the John A. Macdonald Road webpage at saskatoon.ca/engage/renaming which is kept updated with the latest information.
Daily Road Report - July 27, 2023
July 26, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
PRESTON AVE N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PERIMETER RD TO 108TH ST W
(Horizontal boring)
Start: July 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 28, 7:00 a.m.
CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED AT ISABELLA ST E
(Curb extension)
Start: July 27, 7:00 a.m. End: July 29, 4:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Salute to a Safe Saskatoon event)
Start: July 27, 8:00 a.m. End: July 27, 1:00 p.m.
AVE H S NB CURB LANE REDUCED FROM 12TH ST W TO 13TH ST W
(Manhole repair)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 11:00 a.m.
DIEFENBAKER DR EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT DOUGLAS CRES
(Stump removal)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 1:00 p.m.
DIEFENBAKER DR EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM FISHER CRES TO ST LAURENT CRES
(Stump removal)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 1:00 p.m.
8TH ST E WB MEDIAN LANE & EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT MCKINNON AVE S
(CCTV inspections)
Start: July 27, 9:00 a.m. End: July 27, 3:00 p.m.
LENORE DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PRIMROSE DR TO LA LOCHE RD
(Sidewalk replacement)
All street intersections will remain open
Start: July 27, 2:00 p.m. End: August 9, 5:00 p.m.
ONGOING
PRESTON AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 14TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Roadway paving)
Start: June 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 29, 5:00 p.m.
4TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Food Truck Wars)
Start: July 26, 7:00 a.m. End: July 30, 3:00 p.m.
BUTE ST ROAD CLOSED FROM WILLIAM AVE TO HANOVER AVE
(Weaver Park upgrades)
Broadway Ave intersection remains closed at Brute St
Start: July 25, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 4:30 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM OSLER ST TO COLLEGE DR
(Water main upgrades)
Start: July 10, 7:00 a.m. End: September 20, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Road construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 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.
Clarence Avenue intersection closed at Isabella Street starting Thursday
July 26, 2023 - 8:00am
The intersection at Clarence Avenue and Isabella Street will be closed starting Thursday, July 27, at 7 a.m. for sidewalk infill work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take three days 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.
Spadina Crescent closed between 2nd and 3rd avenues on Thursday
July 26, 2023 - 7:00am
Spadina Crescent will be closed between 2nd and 3rd avenues on Thursday, July 27, at 8 a.m. for the Salute to a Safe Saskatoon event. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the event zone. This event 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.
City Council shaves projected funding gap by $21.6 million in 2024 and $1.6 million in 2025; additional reduction measures on deck for August meeting
July 25, 2023 - 6:00pm
- Limit inflationary increases to 25% of the programs projected requirements for Roadways, Facilities Maintenance, Saskatoon Light and Power’s Maintenance Requirements and Fire Apparatus Replacement
- Defer phase-ins for future operating impacts for fire halls, the East Leisure Centre and expansion of Transit to growing neighborhoods’ which will be addressed in the future years when they are operationally required
- Lowering the City’s Corporate Fuel Estimates by $0.15 per litre
- Adjustments to the City’s plan to repay the 2022 Emergency Snow Response and build funding for future responses
- Increase Parking Rates by $0.50/hour
- Transfer the cost of Parking App User Fees to the end user
- No increases for City Yard Security funding
- Defer increases for Roadway Maintenance Training positions
- Defer increases for paved roadways and sidewalk maintenance positions
- Defer increases for snow and ice management positions
- Defer increases for new street sweeping positions
- Defer increases for transportation services positions
- Limit inflationary increases in the snow and ice management program to $300,000 in 2024 and $350,000 in 2025
- No increases for inflation in street cleaning and sweeping program
- No increases for funding for bus stop snow removal
- No increases for training funding for Saskatoon Transit
Saskatoon City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee(GPC), comprised of the Mayor and all City Councillors, made significant progress today at the second of three planned Special Budget Meetings to reduce the projected funding gap the City would face in the 2024-2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget.
After reductions of $21.6 million in 2024 and $1.6 million in 2025, the remaining gap to be addressed in future budget meetings has been lowered to $29.2 million and $20.05 million.
So far, GPCs reductions if left unmitigated would translate into a 9.96% property tax increase for 2024 and 6.17% in 2025 -- that’s down from the original starting projected property tax rates of 17.33% and 6.25% respectively.
The Administration presented several reports, from which GPC recommended the following measures be integrated into the 2024/2025 Preliminary 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget:
There is still much more work to do: GPC will discuss further budget reductions at another Special Budget Meeting scheduled on August 15. At this meeting, deferred business line reports relating to Community Support, Saskatoon Fire, Environmental Health, Taxation and General Revenue, Land Development and Arts, Culture and Events Venues will be considered. Additional business lines reports relating to Corporate Support & Revenue, Recreation and Culture and Utilities are also planned to be presented at that time There may be additional Special Budget Meetings planned.
Council will also request that the Saskatoon Police Board of Commissioners and the Saskatoon Library Board put forward their respective draft budgets earlier than they normally would so that they can also be incorporated into future budget discussions.
An additional motion was passed to create a working group of Administration and Council members to meet with the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and the North Saskatoon Business Association to further discuss each group’s recommendations on reducing the 2024/2045 starting funding gap.
City Council will finalize the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget this November at its final budget review and deliberations.
For more facts and reliable information on the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, please visit Saskatoon.ca/budget
Update: Emergency rail track repairs on 22nd Street between Avenue D and Avenue H extended until Wednesday
July 25, 2023 - 3:15pm
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Rail has extended emergency rail track repair work on 22nd Street until the evening of Wednesday, July 26, 2023. 22nd Street between Avenue D and Avenue H remains closed. The intersections at 22nd Street and Avenue E, 22nd Street and Avenue F, and 22nd Street and Avenue G are closed. Business access between Avenue G and Avenue H will remain open.
Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. Motorists can expect delays in this area while construction is underway and are asked to choose alternate routes if possible or plan for delays.
This closure impacts transit service on Routes 3, 60, and 65. 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.