News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Green cart contractor defaults, program continues without disruption: cost reduction explored
October 25, 2023 - 4:28pm
While the company hired by the City to process green cart material has defaulted on its contract, green cart organics collection will continue. In the short-term, Loraas will continue to assist the City in processing organics materials while City officials explore cost reduction options by processing the organics in-house.
“We are disappointed that the successful vendor was unable to provide organics processing services under the contract but are fortunate to have measures in place allowing us to pursue other options to avoid disruption of the program,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “In the short-term, we will continue working with Loraas while we look to complete a portion of the processing at our own facilities. By sending materials to both the Saskatoon Regional Waste Management Centre and the West Compost Depot, we will help to reduce financial pressures on the utility rates in the short term.”
A report to the November 1 meeting of the Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Committee (EU&CS) contains details that outline short-term options for processing organics following Green Prairie Environmental's default of its organics processing contract.
The City awarded Green Prairie Environmental (GPE) the contract in September 2020 to provide organics processing services to support the City’s Curbside Organics Program. Despite it being a key condition of the contract, GPE did not site a permanent location for an organics processing facility. The Administration supported GPE to find a suitable location following its initial denial in the RM of Corman Park, but as preparation for a site progressed, GPE was unsuccessful in obtaining regulatory approval to construct the facility. GPE is ultimately unable to process organics in accordance with the contract and has defaulted on the contract as a result.
Since program launch, organics materials have been composted by Loraas and not landfilled unless contaminated. In addition to continuing to haul organics materials to Loraas for processing, the Administration is pursuing options to temporarily process a portion of the materials at the Saskatoon Regional Waste Management Centre and West Compost Depot. The City will continue to divert organics away from the landfill to make a beneficial use product and reduce greenhouse gases from waste. To date, more than 15,000 tonnes of organic waste have successfully been diverted from the landfill since collections began in May. No disruptions to the curbside organics program are expected.
A report with long-term options will be presented to EU&CS by Q1 2024.
Daily Road Report - October 26, 2023
October 25, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST E TO 40TH ST E
(Streetlight work)
Start: October 26, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 2:00 p.m.
20TH ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT AVE D S
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 26, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB MEDIAN & LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED THROUGH INTERSECTION AT 29TH ST W
(Sewer lining)
Start: October 26, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
33RD ST E VARIOUS SINGLE LANE CLOSURES AT 7TH AVE N
(Environmental monitoring)
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 2:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 108TH ST W
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Guardrail repair)
Closure will be set daily between 09:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 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.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 4:00 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.
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.
Daily Road Report - October 25, 2023
October 24, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
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.
33RD ST E VARIOUS SINGLE LANE CLOSURES AT 7TH AVE N
(Environmental monitoring)
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 2:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 108TH ST W
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT ATTRIDGE DR
(Guardrail repair)
Closure will be set daily between 09:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Start: October 25, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 5TH ST E TO 7TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: October 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 25, 4:30 p.m.
AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 29TH ST W TO RUSHOLME RD
(Connection work)
Start: October 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 25, 6:00 p.m.
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 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.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 4:00 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.
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.
City crews focused on safety, continued de-icing of priority streets
October 24, 2023 - 2:30pm
Beginning at 3 a.m. City of Saskatoon crews were applying salt to Priority 1 streets as the snow began to fall, and remain on the go today, focusing on Circle Drive and continuing to manage the road conditions on priority streets.
“Crews focused on Circle drive and other high-speed streets, as these are the streets where collisions due to icy conditions have the potential to be the most serious,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support. “Bridge decks were also an area of focus.”
The timing of the snowfall did not allow crews to spread salt on all priority streets before the morning commute. It takes up to 12 hours to apply de-icing material to all priority streets in Saskatoon. Additionally, spreading salt in advance of the overnight snowfall on dry pavement would not have been effective. This is because without any moisture, the majority of the salt would have been blown off the road surface by traffic.
There is a chance that some icy conditions will develop overnight, as Environment & Climate Change Canada forecasts temperatures to drop further overnight and stay below freezing for the remainder of the week. Crews will be out on the streets continuously to monitor and address conditions as they change.
Drivers should adjust their driving for the road conditions and leave extra room and time for their commute. We understand the inconvenience that the first snowfall a few hours before the morning commute and icy driving conditions create. We ask for everyone’s patience as crews work to restore normal winter driving conditions on City streets.
Please watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for the operators to do their work.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the snow with the Snow & Ice Report at saskatoon.ca/snowreport.
Take your time on the roads after first snow of the season, watch for City crews on the go
October 24, 2023 - 7:19am
A combination of moisture from snow and below freezing temperatures have created icy conditions on Saskatoon roads this morning.
City crews have been on the go overnight applying de-icer. 10 sanders focused on high- speed streets like Circle Drive and freeways. This work will continue today.
Crews are ready to initiate plowing and snow grading if the snow accumulates.
Drivers should adjust their driving for the road conditions, leave extra room and time for their commute. Please watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and leave room for the operators to do their work.
Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the snow with the Snow & Ice Report at saskatoon.ca/snowreport.