News Releases

The City of Saskatoon received more than 50 cm of snow in a six-day span to begin the month of March, putting the Roadways Emergency Response Plan into action.  

After finishing priority street grading far ahead of schedule, the City has now completed grading on all residential streets as well as industrial areas, with the exception of a few problem locations with special operational requirements. These individual locations will be addressed over the next few days. Grading on streets in residential and industrial areas will also reduce the potential for rutting as temperatures fluctuate. 

Tall snow piles along priority streets where sightlines may be reduced are being addressed. Drivers should continue to proceed with caution near intersections and crosswalks. 

The last phase of the snowstorm response involves partial implementation of Phase 5 of the ERP. Snow removal has begun on Priority 1 streets and is expected to take about two weeks, though weather changes may adjust this timeline. Snow removal has already been completed in school zones, and Business Improvement Districts will be fully completed tonight.  

Snow removal along Priority 1 streets and in Business Improvement Districts will help alleviate concerns with flooding as temperatures rise, and with the upcoming spring street sweeping. 

Snow removal on residential streets will not take place unless there is a localized serious safety concern, which will be assessed and addressed, as required. We will prioritize some snow removal in areas where lack of visibility from the snow pile is causing a serious safety concern. 

As snow melts, potholes can develop when water gets into small cracks and expands. We continue to repair potholes on high priority streets using a cold mix, which is considered temporary until hot mix asphalt is available mid- to late-April. We also continue to maintain utility cuts using gravel. Residents are encouraged to help the City locate potholes and settled pavement cuts by calling the Customer Care Centre or using Report-a-Pothole application for non-emergency locations. Learn more about pothole and utility cut repairs at saskatoon.ca/potholes. 

Crews are now addressing alley access and clearing snow from back lanes, pushing it to the side while trying to keep garages and driveways clear. If your back lane is impassable, you may send your address, concern and photos to customercare@saskatoon.ca to be inspected.   

Please remember to slow down when you are in and around work zones and be aware of our equipment and staff working in roadways and in residential areas. We thank you for your patience. 

On March 1, the first intake period for smaller black cart requests closed. The City has introduced a variable cart size program this year, providing residents more choice and flexibility with their household’s waste needs. Following the two-month application intake, almost sixteen thousand requests from residents seeking smaller garbage carts have been received meaning approximately 21% of Saskatoon’s curbside customers are already on board to reduce their cart size and and help the City continue toward its waste diversion goals.  

“We are surprised but thrilled with how many requests we’ve received this first intake period, but it just goes to show that Saskatoon residents are diverting more waste and have less of a need for the large garbage cart. We’ve exceeded our expectations for this initial request period and look forward to getting smaller carts out to residents this spring,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations.

Smaller carts will be delivered April through June corresponding with garbage collection pick-up days. We ask that residents who have requested a smaller cart leave their existing cart out at each collection day until 6PM during the deployment window so swaps can occur. More information about the timing and schedule of delivery of new carts will be mailed out to residents who requested smaller carts in early April.

If residents missed the deadline for the spring cart swap period, there will be another cart swap this fall. Cart swap requests will be accepted beginning July 8.

To learn more about the Black Cart program, visit saskatoon.ca/blackcart.

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Brandon Wheat Kings at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

Attention all drivers: Due to electrical issues, the traffic signals at 8th Street & Emerson Avenue are flashing red in all directions until tomorrow morning. Please plan for possible delays and exercise caution until repairs can be completed. We thank you for your patience during this unforeseen traffic disruption. Drive safely!

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

NEW

AVE C N NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM CYNTHIA ST TO GYLES PL
(Sanitary sewer inspection)
Start: March 12, 9:00 a.m. End: March 12, 1:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM PERIMETER RD TO 108TH ST W
(Transmission line conversion)
Start: March 12, 10:00 a.m. End: March 12, 12:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT WARMAN RD
(Directional boring)
Start: March 11, 9:00 a.m. End: March 12, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE D N TO AVE E N
(Emergency Connection Replacement)
Start: March 11, 8:00 a.m. End: March 12, 6:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.