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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Weekend Road Report - April 2-3, 2022

April 1, 2022 - 8:31am

TC22-2980

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

NEW

51ST ST E EB LANES CLOSED & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO FAITHFULL AVE
(Hydrant lead repair)
Start: April 2, 8:00 a.m. End: April 2, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB LANES CLOSED FROM MCKERCHER DR TO BOYCHUK DR
(Valve repair)
Start: April 2, 8:00 a.m. End: April 2, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO KONIHOWSKI RD
(Transmission line upgrade)
Start: April 3, 5:00 a.m. End: April 3, 7:00 a.m.

5TH AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: April 3, 7:00 a.m. End: April 3, 5:00 p.m.

2ND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Manhole repair)
Start: April 3, 8:00 a.m. End: April 3, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Early spring street sweeping and pothole repairs underway as streets dry up

April 1, 2022 - 5:42am

TC22-2979

 

While we won’t say a final goodbye to winter and put the plows and sanders away, there’s optimism that spring is here. Early spring street sweeping on high traffic streets and in City business areas is underway.  

Daytime temperatures are consistently above freezing and priority streets, such as 22nd Street and 8th Street, are finally drying up, allowing sweepers to start collecting debris left behind after winter.  

Sweepers will go around parked vehicles for this early spring clean-up work, which is quicker and collects an estimated ninety percent of the debris and dust. Watch our video about early spring sweeping or visit saskatoon.ca/sweep to learn more.  

If daytime temperatures remain above zero, line painting can begin on some major arterials, and then move to the swept priority streets.  

Residential street sweeping gets going in early May where the yellow No Parking signs will allow for the curb-to-curb sweep. More information and schedules will be available in the coming weeks. 

Major potholes that can cause vehicle damage or injury are being temporarily repaired before hot mix asphalt for permanent repair is in production mid-April. At that time, City and contractor crews will be out in full force along high-traffic priority streets. In May, potholes will be repaired in residential streets once they are swept.  

Let us know about potholes on the Report-a-Pothole interactive map at saskatoon.ca/potholes. The potholes reported and repaired have been removed to make the map easier to look at. To report emergency pothole locations, please phone our Customer Care Centre immediately at 306-975-2476. 

Please watch for slow-moving road maintenance equipment and workers, obey detour signs, leave plenty of space and only pass when safe for everyone. 

Roof Repaired on 137-year-old Marr Residence

April 1, 2022 - 10:00am

UE-22-2972

The roof of the 137-year-old Marr Residence was replaced after a leak was identified in 2020. City Council approved a plan to use the capital expenditures reserve, grant funding from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, as well as donations from the public to fund the repairs and build capital for any future maintenance of the building.  

“The generous donations and support from the public and the grant from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation were essential to the successful completion of this project,” says Troy LaFreniere, Director of Facilities Management. “The oldest building in Saskatoon on it’s original site, an important heritage site for our community can continue to be maintained for many years to come for residents of Saskatoon and visitors to enjoy.” 

The entire roof of the Marr Residence was removed and replaced as well as replacement and repair of rotten wood, soffit and facia. The roof was rebuilt to match the prior structure to maintain the character and heritage of the building.  The total cost of the project was $88,689. With the new roof, the building remains in a good state of repair.  

“We’re so grateful for the generosity of all those who have donated to the project as the Marr Residence is a piece of history in our City and such an important part of Saskatoon’s story,” says Della Marshall, volunteer board chair for the Marr Residence. “We welcome everyone back to the house.”  
 

Central Avenue closed between 108th and 109th streets starting Monday

April 1, 2022 - 9:00am

TC22-2976

Central Avenue will be closed between 108th and 109th streets starting Monday, April 4, at 8:00 a.m. for emergency connection repair work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take two 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 is 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. 

Central Avenue closed between Attridge Drive and Konihowski Road on Sunday

April 1, 2022 - 8:00am

TC22-2975

Central Avenue will be closed between Attridge Drive and Konihowski Road on Sunday, April 3 at 5:00 a.m. for SaskPower power line upgrades. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take two 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 is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.      

For more information on SaskPower’s Preston Crossing Power Line Project, visit: saskpower.com/prestoncrossing.  

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction. 

2nd Avenue closed between 20th and 21st streets on Sunday

April 1, 2022 - 7:00am

TC22-2961

2nd Avenue will be closed between 20th and 21st streets on Sunday, April 3, at 8:00 a.m. for manhole repair 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 these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is 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 - April 1, 2022

March 31, 2022 - 9:21am

TC22-2978

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

NEW

51ST ST E EB MEDIAN LANE & NEXT LANE CLOSED FROM FAITHFULL AVE TO 1ST AVE N
(Hydro vac)
Start: April 1, 7:00 a.m. End: April 1, 11:00 a.m.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.

Pruning Ban for Elm Trees Takes Effect Friday, April 1

March 28, 2022 - 11:00am

CY22-2970
The City reminds residents that the provincial ban on pruning elm trees is from Friday, April 1 to Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
 
Provincial regulations prohibit the pruning of elm trees during this time to ensure that elm bark beetles, which transmit Dutch elm disease (DED), are not attracted to freshly pruned elms when the beetles are most active. Anyone wishing to prune elm trees during the ban must obtain a permit and are asked to call the City’s Parks Department at 306-975-3300 for more information.
 
Provincial regulations also prohibit the storing, transport and use of elm wood for any purpose. This includes wood chips, firewood, wood slabs and branches. The only permitted movement of elm wood is to the City’s designated disposal site at the City Landfill. 
 
Elm trees make up about 25% of Saskatoon's urban forest. Last year, the City confirmed its third case of DED since 2015 in an elm tree located in Leif Erickson Park in the Westmount neighbourhood. As part of the City's DED Response Plan, the infected tree was immediately removed and disposed of at the City Landfill. The City will continue surveillance and testing of public and private elm trees in the surrounding area with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection. 
 
What is DED?
DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States.  
 
How is DED spread?
In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools. 
 
What can you do to prevent DED?
The most effective management strategy for DED is to not transport or store elm wood. Firewood containing elm bark beetles is the most likely way that DED would be brought into Saskatoon. 
Residents can help prevent DED by:
  • Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31)
  • Not storing or transporting elm wood – provincial regulations prohibit it!
  • Always disposing of elm wood at the City Landfill
  • Sanitizing tools after working on elm trees
  • Not building treehouses in elm trees, as the nail and screw holes can attract elm bark beetles carrying the DED fungus
  • Reporting dead or dying elm trees or branches to the City or to a professional arborist 
How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees
American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. Anyone suspecting that an elm tree is unhealthy is encouraged to complete the online form at saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.
 
By following the provincial regulations and maintaining elm trees on your private property, all residents can help prevent the spread of DED in Saskatoon. 
 
For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease

 

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day – Sunday, April 3

March 31, 2022 - 7:00am

UE22-2871

The City of Saskatoon and GFL Environmental Inc. will host the first Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day of the year this Sunday.

Saskatoon residents are invited to drop off their HHW materials for recycling and safe disposal, including aerosols, automotive fluids, batteries, cleaners, cylinders, light bulbs, medications, yard chemicals, vaping products, and more. Complete lists of acceptable and unacceptable items are available at saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste.

Reminders:

  • Masking is encouraged, but not mandatory.
  • Containers used for transporting HHW will not be returned to the participants.
  • Please ensure all containers are safely sealed and contents are clearly marked.
  • To avoid potentially long line-ups and wait times, ask the Waste Wizard at  saskatoon.ca/wastewizard to find other means of recycling and safe disposal.
  • Help reduce emissions from idling and protect the health of other residents by turning off vehicles during long wait times.
  • Approximate wait times will be posted periodically on the day of the event on the Facebook event page.

Thank you for helping us put waste in the right place!

Daily Road Report - March 31, 2022

March 30, 2022 - 9:08am

TC22-2977

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

NEW

No projects are scheduled to start on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

ONGOING

No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.

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.