News Releases

Due to the cold extreme weather conditions, the city is experiencing a significant number of water main breaks. City crews were able to restore water to some locations earlier today.  

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience while we work to restore water service as quickly as possible in the following locations:

• 7^th Street East (water trailer available)
• Tait Crescent (water trailer available)
• Phillips Crescent (water trailer available)
• Louise Avenue (water trailer available on corner of Main Street)

The City of Saskatoon’s water trailers are provided in the order of incidents reported. 

We make every effort to make a water trailer available within 8 hours of the water being shut off.  However, with the number of water main breaks we are currently experiencing, affected areas may have experienced a longer wait..  

We have brought in all available staff to repair the water main breaks as quickly as possible and additional crews will be working Monday, February 24.              

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.

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The City is proposing a city-wide multi-unit residential recycling program, which if approved by Council will start in late 2014.

A report submitted to the February 24, 2014 Public Executive Committee meeting includes a recommendation for a cost of $2.50 per unit per month for the proposed city-wide multi-unit recycling program.  Results from recent public consultations and the independent review of the Cosmopolitan Industries business plan for the program are also included in the report. 

“We heard loud and clear from our stakeholders that we needed to keep the cost as low as possible, and we managed to determine a funding structure that would allow us to do just that,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of the Transportation & Utilities Division. “We believe this rate structure is reasonable and reflects the market value of the service to be provided.”

Between September 30 and October 18, 2013, the City received feedback from 192 stakeholders. And while price was a concern for many, very few were opposed to the overall concept of a recycling requirement for multi-unit residential buildings.

“We recognize that there is no single solution for recycling in multi-unit properties and to achieve success towards the City’s recycling goals, the program will require a high degree of customization,” says Jorgenson.  “But our focus has always been on providing a service that is convenient for residents by allowing that all recyclable materials can be placed in the same cart.”

The City chose to pursue the contract with Cosmopolitan Industries in an effort to allow the organization to continue to provide meaningful employment and vocational opportunities for participants in their programs.

If Executive Committee accepts the report, it will be presented to City Council at its meeting on March 3, 2014 for final approval. 

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, the Idylwyld Drive northbound curb lane will be closed between 71st Street and the point where Highway 11 and 12 divides.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same morning, 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.

 

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, a portion of the 8th Street westbound curb lane between Acadia Drive and Circle Drive will be closed while contractor crews work adjacent to the road. 

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same afternoon, 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.

 

On Wednesday, February 19 starting at 9:00 a.m., traffic on 22nd Street eastbound between Avenues J and K will be closed in the eastbound curb lane. The lane closure is required for emergency water main repairs.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted later that same afternoon, 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.

In honour of Family Day, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation & Sport Division is pleased to launch Family Fun Packs, a limited time promotion, designed especially for families!

Family Fun Packs provide unbeatable savings on admissions to the City’s most popular family attractions, including:

• three family passes to any indoor Leisure Centre;
• two family passes to a public skating session; 
• one family pass to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo; and
• three family passes to any outdoor pool.

Starting Monday, February 17, Family Fun Packs will be available for sale at any of the six indoor Leisure Centres for the discounted price of $100 plus GST ($137 value).  Don’t miss out!  Family Fun Packs are only available until March 16, 2014, while supplies last.

Families can also take advantage of Recreation & Sport’s great year-round admission options and save money by purchasing Family Bulk Tickets, Family LeisureCards, or the new 2-Week Family Trial Passes. 

Visit Drop-in Online 24/7 at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline for up-to-date facility schedules and BONUS swim, gym, and skate times during February Break.
 
For more information on Family Fun Packs and more, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/leisure.

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 at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2014, Warman Road southbound lanes will be closed between 7th Avenue to 33rd Street for an emergency water main repair. Motorists are advised to use 7th Avenue to 33rd Street for the detour.

All restrictions are expected to be lifted by Sunday evening, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  The City would like to thank everyone for their patience.

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

Broadway Avenue southbound lanes between 11th Street and Main Street are closed until later this afternoon for a water and sewer repair. Broadway Avenue northbound traffic is not affected. Motorists please use Eastlake Avenue as a detour.

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.

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014, the 2nd Avenue northbound lane approaching 26th Street will be restricted to one lane as crews setup a crane. Two-way traffic at the work zone will be accommodated in the 2nd Avenue southbound lanes.

The work should be completed and restrictions lifted by 3:00 p.m., weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. The City thanks everyone for their patience.

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.

Environment Canada has forecast strong wind and up to ten centimetres (four inches) of snow for Saskatoon today.  The City has extra staff, contractors and equipment ready to keep the priority streets clear, sanded/salted during – and following – the snow event.  

As a result, streets scheduled for snow grading to remove ruts today will be rescheduled.  The program to remove ruts and reduce the packed snow that can cause severe ruts has been ongoing for several weeks.   You may find a new schedule at www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow once crews can complete the Priority 1, 2 and 3 streets. 

Streets may become icy, due to heavy winds blowing snow across the roadway. City crews will be doing their best to keep them sanded/salted, so please watch for equipment on the road.  The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time of day or night.  By keeping a safe distance from the equipment and approaching slowly, we can all be safe on the road. 

Throughout the snow event, Snow & Ice Update PSAs are issued to local news media and posted on the City’s website by 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., ending 72 hours after the snow stops.  The Snow Clearing Interactive Map is updated at the same time showing the status of snow grading on the priority streets after a snow event.  Sanding/salting and grading occurs based on the following Priority System*:

Priority 1 (Highest traffic streets) will be plowed within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends.

Priority 2 (Rapid transit bus routes and busy streets) will be graded within 36 hours.

Priority 3 (Main streets and school zones) will be graded within 72 hours.

*Another snowfall or blowing snow within the 72-hour timeframe may require crews to return to Priority 1 streets, causing clearing to take longer.

SIDEWALKS:
We all want to be able to safely use the sidewalk.  If we all do our part and clear sidewalks in front of residents and commercial areas, we can help improve public safety.  Please do not place cleared snow onto the road because it can cause safety issues for pedestrians and drivers, and can be an issue for drainage during melt.

If your neighbour is elderly or has health or mobility restrictions, be a Snow Angel and clear their sidewalk after a snowfall. If you receive help from a neighbour, use the online form to nominate them as a “Snow Angel”. Once nominated, we’ll send your Snow Angel a thank you and enter them in a prize draw. 

Click on www.saskatoon.ca/go/snow to learn about the City’s Snow & Ice program.