News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has implemented enhancements to bolster safety at various intersections in 2023 throughout the city. 

The installation of traffic signals and pedestrian devices aims to improve transportation safety while ensuring reliable travel for everyone, whether they are walking, riding a bike, riding a bus, or driving a car. The City remains committed to creating safe and accessible streets for all. 

Traffic Signals Installed in 2023: 

Lowe Road & Nelson Road 

McOrmond Drive & Brighton Common 

Pedestrian Crossing Devices Installed in 2023: 

22nd Street & Avenue V – Pedestrian Actuated Signal  

Millar Avenue & 60th Street – Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Millar Avenue & 64th Street – Active Pedestrian Corridor 

33rd Street & Avenue G - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Lorne Avenue & Isabella Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Broadway Avenue & 3rd Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Broadway Avenue & 6th Street - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Stonebridge Common & Laycock Crescent - Active Pedestrian Corridor 

Nelson Road & Heal Avenue – Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon 

Stonebridge Common & Snell Crescent - Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon 

The pedestrian actuated signal at 22nd Street & Avenue V received funding from the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant program, emphasizing the collaborative effort to enhance pedestrian safety.  

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grants are awarded to communities twice a year. The City will continue submitting funding applications to improve safety at other intersections and school zones throughout Saskatoon. 

For more information on pedestrian safety in Saskatoon visit saskatoon.ca/pedestriansafety 

Faithfull Avenue will be closed from 43rd to 45th streets for hydrovaccing on Friday, December 8, starting at 9:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take half a 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.  

Based on the City’s third quarter (Q3) forecast, City Administration estimates at the end of this fiscal year, the 2023 Operating Budget will have a surplus of $3.0 million. In addition, the City’s Utilities are expected to realize a $10.9 million surplus.

“The City has benefitted from our intentional efforts to achieve year-over-year savings, along with several favourable external factors - both have contributed to the City’s projected $3.0 million surplus,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance.

With intentional effort, the Administration put in place discretionary hiring and spending freezes, with approximately $5.1 million in savings expected due to:

• approximately $800,000 in savings from reduced training investments;
• $3.1 million savings from deferred hiring; and
• $1.2 million in savings from office, maintenance or other expenditure deferrals. 

“While these initiatives have led to savings in 2023, if the City continues with this approach year after year, this may lead to longer-term impacts such as higher future costs of maintenance, and staff training falling significantly behind” adds Smith.

The favourable external factors contributing to the City’s projected Q3 surplus include:

• Relatively minor snow events in 2023 compared with typical years resulted in a projected $3.3 million surplus in the City’s snow and ice management program;
• Higher than anticipated interest rate environment has resulted in $1.5 million in additional investment income;
• Closure of Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre has contributed to an overall surplus for Leisure Centres of $1.7 million; and
• Significant increases to Transit and Access Transit revenues and a quicker return to pre-pandemic ridership resulting in $3.2 million in higher than budgeted revenues.

The favourable variance between the intentional efforts and favorable circumstances detailed above have been used to offset the City’s $5.7 million in targeted annual savings as well as additional base budget challenges such as $3.0 million in Information Technology, and $1.1 million in Facilities Management.

The projected surplus of $3.0 million in 2023 is still preliminary and welcome news but, it is important to note that many of the external factors experienced in 2023 may not continue in future years. This highlights the importance of establishing the recently approved 2024/2025 Budget as sustainable - and with adequately funded service levels for the next two years.

Each year, City of Saskatoon Administration provides mid-year, third quarter and year-end reports to City Council on the fiscal performance of the City’s Business Plan and Budgets. The objective is to keep City Council and residents informed on expenditure and revenue variances from the budget estimates as the fiscal year progresses.

 Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information.

Environment & Climate Change Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning and is also forecasting snow in Saskatoon beginning the evening of Wednesday December 6, and continuing into Friday December 8. City crews are actively monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond to changes in driving conditions. Icy conditions can develop due to the combination of moisture and cold road surface, even when the air temperature is above freezing.  

Day and night crews will be continuously monitoring conditions and applying salt as required to address potential icy conditions, focusing on high speed and high traffic streets, bridges, and intersections along priority streets.  Salt is an effective tool to address icy conditions during mild winter temperatures. Crews are ready to initiate plowing and snow grading if the snow accumulates. 

Please be prepared to adjust your driving speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead as roads may become slippery.  

Watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for them to do their work safely. 

Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the know with the Snow & Ice Report at saskatoon.ca/snowreport. 

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

ONGOING

TAYLOR ST ROAD CLOSED FROM SALISBURY DR TO MADDEN AVE
(Hydrant repairs)
Start: December 5, 1:00 p.m. End: TBD

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.   

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr to 8th St
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024

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.

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

NEW

TAYLOR ST ROAD CLOSED FROM SALISBURY DR TO MADDEN AVE
(Emergency road work)
Start: December 5, 1:00 p.m. End: TBD

CIRCLE DR S EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT DIEFENBAKER PARK RD
(Directional boring)
Start: December 6, 9:00 a.m. End: December 6, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 29TH ST W
(Roadway patching)
Start: December 6, 10:00 a.m. End: December 6, 2:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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.   

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr to 8th St
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024

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.

Taylor Street is closed between Salisbury Drive and Madden Avenue for emergency road work. Detours are in place guiding motorists around the work zone. The sidewalk on the southside of Taylor Street will be impacted by this closure. 
Saskatoon Transit will also be affected by this 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

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM EMPRESS ST TO BALMORAL ST
(Water main valve repair)
Start: December 5, 8:00 a.m. End: December 5, 5:00 p.m.

FEDORUK DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM KONIHOWSKI RD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Manhole repair)
Start: December 5, 8:30 a.m. End: December 5, 4:30 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E EB LANES CLOSED AT EASTLAKE AVE
(Roadway Patching)
Start: December 5, 9:00 a.m. End: December 5, 1:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM VALLEY RD TO 11TH ST W
(Directional Boring)
Start: December 5, 9:00 a.m. End: December 5, 3:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Roadway patching)
Start: December 5, 9:00 a.m. End: December 5, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 11TH ST W TO VALLEY RD
(Directional boring)
Start: December 5, 9:00 a.m. End: December 5, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB MEDIAN & NEXT LANE CLOSED FROM ALBERT AVE TO LANSDOWNE AVE
(Roadway patching)
Start: December 5, 10:00 a.m. End: December 5, 3:00 p.m.

7TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM EMPRESS ST TO DUCHESS ST
(CPKC Rail Holiday Train Event)
Start: December 5, 6:00 p.m. End: December 5, 10:00 p.m.

33RD ST ROAD CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE TO 8TH AVE
(CPKC Rail Holiday Train Event)
Start: December 5, 6:00 p.m. End: December 5, 10:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr to 8th St
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024

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.

The City recognizes Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were brutally gunned down by a shooter who said he was “fighting feminism” at Polytechnique Montréal post-secondary school. This violent act of misogyny led to the day’s annual designation in Canada.

This day is about supporting those who have experienced gender-based violence and honouring those we’ve lost to it. It’s also a time to take action.

The City is asking employees to wear a moose hide pin on Dec. 6 as a way to initiate conversations on harmful words and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence. These pins – which demonstrate a commitment to honour, respect, and protect women and girls – have been made available as part of the national Moose Hide Campaign. Why a moose hide pin? We’re promoting the Moose Hide Campaign in acknowledgment of the disproportionate gender-based violence against Indigenous women and girls and Two Spirit persons in our local community. Everyone that wears a pin is urged to tell 5 other people what it signifies. Sparking these conversations is an important part of addressing these issues.

On Dec. 6, we remember those we’ve lost and affirm a commitment to end misogyny—the hatred of, contempt for, and prejudice against women and girls. We call on all residents of Saskatoon to speak up against words and actions that are harmful. The flags in Civic Square (south lawn of City Hall) will be lowered on this day to remember the Polytechnique Montréal women and to honour all victims of gender-based violence.

To accommodate the CP Holiday Train, no parking signs and road closures will be in place in the City Park area on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, starting at 7:00 p.m.  

Event road restrictions: 

• 7th Avenue between Empress Street and Duchess Street
• 33rd Street between 6th Avenue & 8th Avenue

Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the event zone. Restrictions will be lifted by 10:00 p.m. 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.