News Releases

In response to the new provincial public health measures, the City wishes to remind residents that masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services. City Council approved the action at its meeting on Monday, August 30 as an added safety measure to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community and it is now required and enforceable under the public health order.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan public health order, youth athletes under age 18 are exempt from the masking order for indoor youth athletics and while they are actively engaged in athletic activity. Masking in venues hosting youth athletics will remain required for general entry and exit into the facility, for athletes and spectators. 

The Government of Saskatchewan also introduced a mandatory vaccination or COVID testing requirement for all Government of Saskatchewan ministry, crown and agency employees. These employees will be required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine by October 1. Employees that do not provide proof of vaccination will be required to provide proof of a negative test result on a consistent basis. 

The City has been planning the launch of regular mandatory COVID-19 rapid tests for all staff who report to the workplace, with adjustments for fully vaccinated staff who choose to share their vaccination status. The program will launch October 4 for City staff.

At the earlier request of City Council and in response to the Government of Saskatchewan’s October 1 requirement to show proof of vaccination or negative test for public access to certain establishments, businesses and event venues that bring groups of people together, the City will explore the impact to civic facilities, programs and services once full details of the proof of vaccination system and technology are shared by the province.

More details on the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement are available on their website. For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

On Friday, September 17 and Monday, September 20, if you are visiting City Hall to make a payment at Corporate Revenue you will be able to pay by cash or cheque only; payment by Interac (debit card) will not be available on these days due to a system upgrade.

• For Cash/Cheque payments on these two days, customers will receive a written manual receipt.
• Please bring your utility statement, parking ticket, etc. so your account number and the amount you owe can be verified during the upgrade period.

A secure payment drop box is located outside the front doors of City Hall at 222-3^rd Avenue North for customers wishing to drop off cheque-only payments after hours.

As a reminder, masks are required when visiting City Hall.

In continuously improving our customer-facing systems, we apologize for any inconvenience over these two days.

Visit saskatoon.ca for information on City services and programs.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
*The COVID-19 vaccination site at Prairieland Park is ongoing. For access directions see the site map. Be prepared for slower moving traffic in the area and remain patient. Traffic will be monitored; routes and traffic signals will be adjusted as needed. 

NEW

22ND ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE V S TO AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB & LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED AT AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE Q N
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: April 7, 9:30 a.m. End: April 7, 3:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB VARIOUS LANES CLOSED FROM INNOVATION BLVD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Streetlight work)
Start: April 7, 1:00 p.m. End: April 7, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

RUTH ST W EXPECTED DELAYS AT ST HENRY AVE
(Vaccine drive thru)
Start: April 5, 6:00 a.m. End: Ongoing
 

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

MCORMOND DR EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM WANUSKEWIN RD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Streetlight repairs)
Start: December 24, 9:30 a.m. End: December 24, 1:30 p.m.

ONGOING

TAYLOR ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM LANSDOWNE AVE TO ALBERT AVE
(Valve replacement)
Start: December 23, 8:00 a.m. End: December 24, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB RIGHT TURN LANE CLOSED FROM KONIHOWSKI RD TO GARVIE RD
(Water main & roadway construction)
Start: December 12, 8:00 a.m. End: December 24, 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.

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

NEW

24TH ST E EB & WB LANES CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 4TH AVE N
(Bikes on Broadway)
Start: May 21, 6:00 a.m. End: May 21, 4:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB LANES CLOSED FROM 23RD ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Bikes on Broadway)
Start: May 21, 6:00 a.m. End: May 21, 4:00 p.m.

HIGHWAY 16 WB LANES CLOSED AT BOYCHUK DR
(Overpass construction)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes.
Start: May 20, 6:00 a.m. End: May 26, 4:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Tree stump removal)
Start: May 20, 7:00 a.m. End: May 20, 3:00 p.m.

20TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Tree stump removal)
Start: May 20, 7:00 a.m. End: May 20, 3:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD SB LANES CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CAVERS ST
(catch basin replacement)
Start: May 20, 8:00 a.m. End: May 20, 12:00 p.m.

22ND ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO PACIFIC AVE
(tree stump removals)
Start: May 21, 9:00 a.m. End: May 21, 6:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD SB LANES CLOSED FROM 7TH AVE N TO 33RD ST E
(catch basin replacement)
Start: May 20, 12:00 p.m. End: May 20, 4:00 p.m.

NIGHTWORK

CIRCLE DRIVE SPEED REDUCTIONS - ROTATING LOCATIONS
(Street Sweeping Train)
Sweeping will not take place on weekends (Friday/Saturday).
Start: May 7, 8:00 p.m. End: June 8, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

HIGHWAY16 EB LANES CLOSED AT BOYCHUK DR
(girder installation)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the WB lanes.
Start: May 6, 6:00 a.m. End: May 19, 4:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 107TH ST W TO 108TH ST W
(sidewalk replacement)
Start: May 14, 7:00 a.m. End: May 20, 5:00 p.m.

QUEEN ST WB PARKING LANE CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(water main replacement)
Start: May 15, 7:00 a.m. End: May 21, 5:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB & WB CURB LANES CLOSED AT AVE D N
(intersection improvements)
Start: May 10, 11:00 a.m. End: May 25, 8:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DRIVE WB ROAD CLOSED AT MCORMOND DR
(construction)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes.
Start: May 17, 5:00 a.m. End: June 1, 8:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM KONIHOWSKI RD TO FEDORUK DR
(roadway construction)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the NB lanes.
Start: November 6, 7:00 a.m. End: October 1, 5:00 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.

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

NEW

There are no new projects scheduled for this date.

ONGOING

DIEFENBAKER DR ROAD CLOSED FROM ST LAURENT CRES TO LLOYD CRES
(Valve replacement)
Start: March 23, 9:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

1ST AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM KING ST TO PRINCESS ST
(Water & sewer)
Start: March 23, 8:00 a.m. End: March 24, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 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.

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community and in light of the decision to close City Hall and civic facilities.

Temporary changes to Saskatoon Pay Parking Zones

Effective immediately payment is no longer required in any City of Saskatoon designated pay parking zones in Saskatoon. In addition, motorists will not be required to adhere to posted time limits in these zones. This is to encourage residents to stay in place and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Important information:

• Parking lots operated by private operators are not exempted from pay parking unless otherwise indicated at the lot.
• FlexParking stations and the Way to Park app will be reprogrammed to indicate that payment is not required, however this may take some time. The City will not be able to reimburse payment to people who pay for parking while such work is being completed.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• No Stopping signs
• No Parking signs
• Accessible Parking signs
• Fire Hydrants   (maintain one metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Transit

Saskatoon Transit Service will be modified effective Monday, as follows: 

• No university extras
• No high school extras
• Three (3) High Frequency Corridors (HFC) include the 8’s & 80’s (8^th Street), 60’s (22^nd Street) and 4’s & 40’s (University Heights)
  
  • will have 15 minute frequency Monday - Friday from start of day until approx. 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 30 minute frequency
  • will have 30 minute frequency Saturday & Sunday all day
• All other routes (excluding HFC)
  
  • will have 30 minute frequency from start of day until approximately 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 60 minute frequency
• Sunday service
  
  • HFC will have 30 minute frequency all day
  • All other routes will have 60 minute frequency
• Service may be added when possible to routes experiencing “full buses” and service may be removed from routes with empty buses, based on operational need

Transit will also monitor where full, standing room only buses are and try to put extra service onto those routes to enable people to maintain appropriate social distance. 

To assist with social distancing, Access Transit is scheduling direct trips as much as possible.

Waste Collections

A core service, waste collections continue as scheduled. During this time, residents are asked to help protect the health and safety of our staff and partners and reduce the spread of the virus by following these guidelines:

• Bag your garbage
• Ensure accessible cart placement (1.2 metres (4 feet) of unobstructed space on all sides) to avoid the need for drivers to handle the cart.
• Do NOT overfill carts or leave loose items on the ground
• Do NOT place used tissues and napkins in your cart or bin as they can become wind-blown when the lid opens during collection
• If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into your bagged garbage – even items that residents may normally place into your blue cart or bin (e.g. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, milk/juice cartons, etc.).

Landfill Payments

Beginning Monday, March 23, the City will stop accepting cash transactions at the Landfill to help reduce the spread of the virus.  Credit and debit card payments will remain available, as well as direct invoicing options for those haulers who have commercial accounts with the City.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

The upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day scheduled for Sunday, April 5 has been cancelled. If residents have HHW material that must be dealt with urgently, and if the situation permits, residents can consult the Waste Wizard to find other means of safe disposal for this material. If residents intend on dropping off materials at businesses that accept HHW, please contact them first to ensure they are open and in a position to accept them.

Purchasing Services

Purchasing Services is now closed to the public, meaning the City will no longer accepting paper or hard copy bid submissions. Starting March 19, the City will be begin accepting email bid submissions. Email bid submissions must meet the requirements within the solicitation document.

Projects currently posted on SaskTenders will have specific instructions issued via Addenda and include information and directions for successful bid submission. 

Any new projects posted to SaskTenders by the City will have the updated bid submission requirements within the solicitation document.

Bylaw Court Closed

All City Bylaw matters set for Court will not be heard between March 23 and May 31. Defendants do not need to do anything at this time, and no convictions of defendants will occur during the Bylaw Court closure.

The City will be reviewing these matters and will contact defendants or publish a notice. For more information, contact the City Solicitor's Office directly at 306-975-3270 or by email at city.solicitor@saskatoon.ca.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca.

The City welcomes a decision of the provincial government to place further restrictions on social gatherings.

“Based on discussions with our Director of Emergency Management, City Council and Senior Administration I gave notice for a Special City Council meeting at 3:30 this afternoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This was done in anticipation of needing to take further steps in addressing the growing concern that as we try to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, gathering in restaurants and bars was an ongoing risk in our community.

“Based on the announcement today by the provincial government that additional restrictions for bars and restaurants will be included in the Provincial State of Emergency restrictions, the Special City Council meeting is cancelled."

“We thank the Province for providing leadership with this difficult decision,” Mayor Clark says. “We know it has significant impacts on many local businesses”

Mayor Clark adds this decision will meet the local advice he is hearing from the City’s Emergency Management team about what is needed to keep our community as safe as possible at this time. 

Director of Emergency Management Organization Pamela Goulden-McLeod echoes Mayor Clark’s sentiment.

“The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their leadership and direction in enacting the extended measures to support our provinces safety during this unprecedented event,” Goulden-McLeod says.

“The provincial government’s bravery in taking these extraordinary measures will make a significant difference within our communities. We value the hard work of our provincial partners and we continue to look forward working together in this ongoing rapidly changing situation.”