News Releases

Clearing, sanding, salting and removal of snow this year has been successful at keeping City roads in good winter driving condition this season.  The City’s winter operations are running continuously and methods are adjusted as required in response to weather conditions.  For example, the extended extreme cold period required more frequent sanding and maintenance to address the icy conditions, so extra sanding crews are deployed on these days.

So far this winter, Saskatoon has experienced six snow events, with an expected three more months of winter left to go.  A snow event is defined as where a minimum of 5 centimetres of snowfall.  In each of these events, crews were out sanding and clearing during the snow event.  Once the snow fall ended, crews had completed the priority street system in advance of the 72-hour goal. 

“As a result of this snow clearing, City crews have hauled 2,700 tandem-axle loads of snow to the City’s snow storage sites,” Director of Public Works, Pat Hyde says.  “This is done to remove the snow windrows in the downtown core, the Business Improvement Districts and to provide storage room along the priority routes for the next snow events.” 

Over the next few weeks more snow windrows will be removed along the priority street network to provide for sufficient storage space.

The City listens to what residents are asking for and continues to make improvements to its budgeting and operations.  So far this winter, additional successes and new processes include:

Circle Drive
The City has implemented an improved process for snow storage and removal along Circle Drive.  Crews will remove as much of the snow as possible during snow clearing along the guard rails and protective barriers.  Then crews will return and remove any remaining snow within 48 hours, once clearing is completed on Circle Drive.  The first priority is Circle Drive South, Circle Drive North, and Senator Sid Buckwold Bridges, followed by the high speed overpasses along Circle Drive.  The City is working this week to complete the removal of snow ridges that have collected along the protective barriers and guard rails.  Once the high priority roadways are complete, the City will immediately remove all snow ridges along the remaining guard rails and protective barriers on Circle Drive.   

A new ‘rolling work zone’ snow removal process was developed and implemented.  The ‘rolling work zone’ allows for this work to be completed while minimizing traffic disruption and ensuring the safety of the crews and public while the operations are performed.

Business Improvement Districts
The Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) of the Downtown Partnership, Broadway, Riversdale and Central Avenue have had an improved snow clearing process applied where snow will be cleared from curb to curb during the priority street clearing during and following a snow event.  This will provide for an improved cleared area for parking along the curb lanes and streets that are cleared of snow to improve traffic flow. The BIDs will then have the snow windrows loaded out following the clearing within the following few days after clearing. 

NEW for this year is the use of contractor forces to perform snow clearing and removal with the following streetscape zones of the downtown core:  2nd Avenue (between 23rd Street and 19th Street) and 21st Street (from 1st Avenue to Spadina Crescent).

Use of Contractors
Contractors are being engaged earlier during a snow event to ensure that the priority street network is maintained and passable during a snow event.  It can also mean it can be cleared more quickly once the snowfall has ceased.  This leads to an improved traffic flow and provides for safer driving conditions for drivers.

Industrial Areas
As these are heavy traffic areas and are significant to the overall commerce of the city and its residents, additional snow clearing within the industrial areas has also been improved and expanded this year.  For those streets within these areas that are not already receiving snow clearing as part of the priority street network  additional clearing is being performed once the priority streets are completed.  This is improving traffic flow, improving access to these areas and preventing and/or minimizing the potential for rutting.  This approach will help avoid rutting within these zones, which can be very significant otherwise.  

School Zones
Currently snow removal has been initiated for all elementary school zones with the use of contract forces.  The clear out area of the school zones is being expanded to allow for an increased area for drop off/pick up zones, ease traffic congestion and improve the safety for children within these areas.  Schools located in the southwest, northeast and north side of the city are complete and schools in the northwest and southeast will be completed within one week. 

Sidewalks & Pathways
Changes for City crews has allowed for workers to be available 7 days/week for clearing the pathways and sidewalks that the city is responsible for snow clearing.  Previous to this winter sidewalk crews were not staffed over the weekends.  This allows for a much faster and efficient clearing process and improves the opportunities of those who utilize the pathways and sidewalks.

City Wide Clearing & Ruts
With warm weather forecasted over the next several days, the City is anticipating rutting to begin on those streets not on the priority street network.  Specifically, Public Works is watching those areas where there is limited room for traffic flow, where the potential for ruts is more severe.  The current average snow pack on streets is approximately 10 centimetres (4 inches).  In extreme cold, the snow contracts, then when temperatures rise again, the snow will “puff up” or expand and soften. It is during such conditions when roadways are more susceptible to the potential for ruts developing or for existing ruts to expand.  
To avoid an extreme rutting situation, as was experienced last year, funding through the new dedicated road levy provides for additional snow clearing.  Through this, a city-wide snow clearing is being planned for and scheduled to start the week of January 20 on all city streets, which include residential and industrial streets, that are not regularly cleared as part of the priority street snow clearing system.  Before the city wide clearing begins residents may report a severely rutted street online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow or to the customer service call centre at 306-975-2476.  More information about the city-wide snow clearing program will be provided over the next week. 

City crews are out addressing high-risk and trouble areas 24/7, as well as monitoring road conditions and sanding/salting as required.  With warmer temperatures expected, sanding efforts will be more effective to reduce icy conditions.  The City is pleased with its snow maintenance program and proud to serve Saskatoon residents, making it safe for drivers to move around the city.  For more information about the City’s Snow & Ice program, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit fare increases that were approved as part of the 2014 City of Saskatoon Budget will take effect starting February 1, 2014.

The new fees are as follows:
Single transit tickets will increase by $0.10 for adults, students and children making the new rates $2.40, $1.80 and $1.40.
The cost of a monthly pass will also increase. For adults it will increase from $78 to $81; students $56 to $57; children $47 to $48; and for seniors $26 to $27.
Cash fares will increase by $0.10 to $3.10 per ride for an adult, $2.60 for a student, and $2.10 for a child. 

For more information on Saskatoon Transit fares, routes and schedules, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “T” for Transit or call 306-975-3100 and speak to a Customer Service Representative. Access Transit customers can call 306-975-3555 for further information.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases,  Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval will be closed to the public for Provincial Championships from January 17 to 19, 2014; the Canada Cup Junior Selection Speed Skating Championships from January 22 to 26, 2014; and the Local Club Marathon on January 31 and February 1, 2014.

Following the competitions, the Oval will re-open to the public on January 19, 26 and February 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Regular hours of operation are Monday to Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/rinks.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Starting Monday, January 6, 2014 traffic will be restricted south of the 1st Avenue North and Circle Drive intersection while crews complete further work on the primary water main. The following restrictions will be in place: 

• No turning on to 1st Avenue North from Circle Drive eastbound and westbound 
• Local access only along 1st Avenue North between 40th Street and Circle Drive northbound and southbound
• No parking on sections of 1st Avenue North. 

It is expected that this work will take three days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Drivers are reminded to allow extra time when travelling through the orange zone, watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Find up-to-date traffic detour information at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW

CIRCLE DR SB & NB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT HWY 16 CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Road paving)
Start: July 22, 7:00 p.m. End: July 23, 6:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR SOUTH BRIDGE EB & WB CURB LANES CLOSED
(Bridge washing)
Start: July 22, 9:00 p.m. End: July 23, 6:00 a.m.

25TH ST EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN IDYLWYLD DR & 1ST AVE N
(Weed trimming)
Start: July 23, 9:00 a.m. End: July 23, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED NORTH OF 25TH STREET
(Driveway installation)
Start: July 23, 9:00 a.m. End: July 24, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR & 23RD STREET INTERSECTION REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN ALL DIRECTIONS
(Shaw Cable manhole access)
Start: July 23, 7:00 p.m. End: July 24, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

20TH ST W EB AND WB LANES CLOSED ON 20TH ST W FROM AVE C S TO AVE D S
(Water Line Installation)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 24, 6:00 p.m.
 

CENTRAL AVE SB LANES & NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 111TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Water Main Lining)
Access to local businesses will be maintained. All other traffic will be detoured via Egbert Avenue
Start: July 15, 9:00 a.m. End: August, 5, 6:00 p.m.
 

3RD AVE N NB & SB LANES CLOSED 3RD AVE N FROM 25TH ST E TO 26TH ST E
(Water Main Lining)
Start: July 4, 9:00 a.m. End: July, 25, 6:00 p.m.
 

20TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED 20TH ST W FROM AVE G S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes.
Start: July 2, 9:00 a.m. End: July, 30, 6:00 p.m.
 

8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED ON 8TH ST E FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: July, 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by check our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map, find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. you can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.