Call for Citizen Input to Improve Winter Roads Programs

The City invites citizens to help improve winter mobility on roads and sidewalks by participating in a new survey this March.

“Year after year, the City’s annual Civic Services Survey shows how important snow and ice maintenance is to Saskatoon citizens,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “Rather than guessing what improvements will best help residents get around in the winter, we thought we might ask them.”

Citizen input will be collected to understand how people move around in winter, and to identify challenges or barriers residents experience due to snow or ice. The survey data, in conjunction with perspectives of local interest groups, will be used by the City to improve existing programs and plan new strategies to most efficiently address the needs of Saskatoon residents.

The Better Winter Roads survey is open to everyone and is now available at saskatoon.ca/snow. City representatives will also have digital surveys for people to complete at the upcoming Homestyles Show (March 9-12) and Gardenscape (March 24-26) at Prairieland Park.

The City is offering the survey in English, French, Mandarin and Arabic to ensure that a broad spectrum of Saskatoon residents, from new Canadians to seasoned winter veterans, can share their unique experiences.  

“City Council approved this citizen-first approach to improving the level of service as part of the 2017 winter road maintenance budget,” says Harris.

For 2017, more than $61.7 million has been invested in Building Better Roads including Road Maintenance, Snow & Ice Management and Street Cleaning and Sweeping. In fact, this year an additional $1.1 million has been dedicated to Snow & Ice Management.

In addition to this survey, we have also invited residents to help create a new approach to how winter is perceived in Saskatoon as part of WinterCityYXE, Saskatoon’s Winter City Strategy. Both surveys will identify ways in which we can work together as a community to make Saskatoon a great place to live in the winter time.

Visit saskatoon.ca/snow for more information and to participate in the survey today!