News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Daily Road Report - September 1, 2023
August 31, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD SB LANES CLOSED AT FAST CRES
(Roadway patching)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: September 1, 3:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E SB CURB LANE, ROLLING CLOSURE FROM 14TH ST E TO 8TH ST E
(Mowing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 1:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE ROLLING CLOSURE FROM 8TH ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Mowing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 1:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN & CENTER LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Minor bridge maintenance)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 3:00 p.m.
VICTORIA BRIDGE CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Broadway Bridge will be closed nightly from 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Start: September 1, 6:00 p.m. End: September 2, 11:30 p.m.
ONGOING
CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Water & sewer install)
Start: August 29, 8:00 a.m. End: September 1, 4:30 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E FULL CLOSURE FROM 3RD AVE S TO 20TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: August 31, 5:00 p.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES W ROAD CLOSED FROM DUDLEY ST TO SCHUYLER ST
(Connection replacement)
Start: August 28, 8:00 a.m. End: September 5, 5:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT JASPER AVE
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 15, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes.
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 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.
Winterization of park irrigation systems begins September 1
August 31, 2023 - 10:30am
On September 1, City crews begin the annual winterization of the 480 irrigation systems in Saskatoon parks and along roadway streetscapes. Winterization is an important maintenance procedure to help ensure the longevity of the City’s irrigation infrastructure.
Irrigation winterization involves the use of large compressors that force air through the irrigation system, removing any residual water so it will not freeze within the underground pipes. The force of compressed air exiting through sprinkler heads may pick up and propel debris within the work zone.
To ensure public safety, residents are asked to follow all signage at work sites, and to stay clear of all sprinkler heads, compressor units and related winterization equipment in the parks during maintenance.
The winterization process is expected to take seven weeks. For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/parkmaintenance.
Road restrictions for downtown fireworks festival start tonight
August 31, 2023 - 10:00am
- Spadina Crescent will be closed between 3rd Avenue and 20th Street
- Public access to the Saskatoon Boat Launch will be closed for the duration of this event
- Spadina Crescent will be closed between 2nd and 3rd avenues
- Victoria Bridge will be closed between 11th and 19th streets
- Saskatchewan Crescent will be closed between 14th Street and McPherson Avenue
- Broadway Bridge will be closed between 12th and 20th streets
- 19th Street will be closed between 3rd and 4th avenues
- Saskatchewan Crescent will be closed between 14th Street and Broadway Avenue
To accommodate the Nutrien Fireworks Festival in the downtown area on Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2, detours, lane restrictions, and “no parking” signs will be in place guiding motorists around the event area. This event will be in place for two days, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
If there are weather impacts, the festival will take place on Sunday, September 3 with detours being removed on Monday, September 4.
Road restrictions for Thursday, August 31 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday September 3 at 12:00 p.m.:
Road restrictions for Friday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m. to Sunday, September 3 at 12:00 p.m.:
Additional road restrictions set nightly from 6:45 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2:
For service alerts about bus stop closures, real-time bus locations, and next bus arrivals use the mobile app Transit or Google Transit on desktop. Customer Service is also available at 306-975-3100 to help answer any questions.
Drivers are reminded to watch out for pedestrians. The City thanks everyone for their patience.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days Return
August 31, 2023 - 9:30am
- September 3, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- September 17, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 1, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 15, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 29, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Containers used for transporting HHW may 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.
- There are no public washrooms available at the event.
The City of Saskatoon and QM Environmental will host the first Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day of the year this Sunday, September 3.
HHW Drop-Off Dates:
Location: Civic Operations Centre (57 Valley Road)
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:
Thanks for helping us put waste in the right place!
Celebrating Labour Day with fireworks
August 31, 2023 - 9:00am
- Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions.
- Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging any type of firework.
- Choose your location wisely. Fireworks can only be discharged on private property.
- Familiarize yourself with the space requirements for the type of firework being discharged. Requirements vary depending on the firework type.
- Ensure your location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side and is a safe distance from combustible materials.
- Ensure that it is not windy and that all spectators are safely located to observe the display.
- Be sure to properly stabilize the firework according to manufacturer direction.
- Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand.
- Always light the fuse at its tip.
- Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that did not go off.
- Have a supply of water available and use it to extinguish debris or smouldering embers before they cause injuries, property damage and/or fires.
- Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any debris that may land on spectators or another’s property.
The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors of safe practices for purchasing, enjoying and disposing of fireworks. This Labour Day, low-hazard fireworks can only be discharged on private property between the hours of dusk and 11:00 p.m. on Monday, September 4.
Low-hazard fireworks are designed for public recreational use. These fireworks travel less than 50m (160ft) high and include items such as roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes.
High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada.
Residents and spectators are reminded of the risks and obligations associated with fireworks:
For more information about fireworks safety, please visit saskatoon.ca/fireworks.
The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Labour Day weekend!
Lane restrictions at 23rd Steet East for confined space rescue practice
August 31, 2023 - 8:00am
- Don't put garbage or needles down grates or manholes as they cause a danger to SL&P workers.
- For your safety, stay clear of the area when utility workers are working in the area. Sidewalk closures can be a pain, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
Saskatoon Light & Power and Saskatoon Fire Department will be practicing confined space rescue in the electrical vault located on 23rd Street East beside Crestview Auto Service over the next two weeks. These drills are performed to ensure worker and public safety in the event of a true emergency.
Rescue practice sessions will be held on September 1, 8, 13, and 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily.
There will be lane restrictions in place to ensure safety and guide motorists around the work zone. Pedestrians are asked to avoid the area for their own safety.
There are over 20 electrical vaults in the downtown area of Saskatoon that are designed to hold the equipment needed to power the city’s downtown core. The grates and concrete covering the vaults are constructed for people and equipment to be able to walk or drive over.
Tips for general vault safety:
Report summarizes successes, lessons learned from City’s first activation of emergency response plan for extreme snowfalls
August 31, 2023 - 7:30am
-
102,000 truckloads of snow removed from Saskatoon streets..
-
1.4 million cubic metres of snow stored at the three snow management facilities at the Civic Operations Centre, along Wanuskewin Drive and Central Avenue. This is approximately four times the amount of snow stored at the snow management facilities in years leading up to 2020.
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500 crew days of effort to remove snow piles on local streets.
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A typical day during snow removal included 150 haul trucks, 32 graders, 18 loaders, 4 snow blowers, 12 skid steers, 10 pilot trucks, seven dozers, 11 tow trucks and much more light equipment.
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27 contracting companies provided additional resources including haul trucks, loaders, snow blowers, dozers and graders. Nearly all contractors that submitted interest and pricing for local street snow removal were hired.
An information report to be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on September 5 details how the City successfully navigated an extraordinary emergency snow event in December 2022 with an equally extraordinary response.
The City’s Roadways Emergency Response Plan for Extreme or Unusual Snow Events was activated for the very first time on December 28, 2022, after back-to-back snow events between December 25 and 28. The snowfall resulted in over 30 centimetres of snow accumulation and severely impacted mobility on streets and sidewalks. This was in addition to four previous snow events earlier in the winter season.
Once the response plan was activated, snow grading along all streets in Saskatoon was completed within eight days of the end of snowfall, faster than the targeted timeline of 10 days, while snow removal along Priority 2 and 3 streets was completed within 5 weeks– the fastest this work has ever been completed. All snow removal work was completed within approximately 9 weeks.
“Our response to the late 2022 snowfall showcased our commitment to the safety and the well-being of our residents,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support. “The City of Saskatoon remains steadfast in its dedication to providing efficient services while adapting and improving to better serve its citizens.”
Highlights from 2022/23 ERP activation include:
“The successful handling of the significant snow events stands as a testament to the City’s commitment to meeting challenges head-on, learning from experiences and continuously improving its emergency response capabilities,” says Saric.
The total cost of the 2022/23 emergency snow response was $18 million dollars, more than the annual operating budget for Snow and Ice Management. Nearly 90% of the cost was for the city-wide snow removal phase.
For more information on the Roadways Emergency Response Plan for Extreme or Unusual Snow Events, visit saskatoon.ca/emergency-response-plan.
Intersection at 4th Avenue and 21st Street closed on Thursday
August 30, 2023 - 5:00pm
The intersection at 4th Avenue and 21st Street will be closed on Thursday, August 31, at 8:00 a.m. for emergency sanitary main repairs. 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 are 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.
Mid-year financials project a strong, balanced 2023 budget: restrictions to hiring, spending key
August 30, 2023 - 4:00pm
- Utilities are projecting a $5.3 million net surplus at mid-year. Any utility variance will be offset through transfers to or from the applicable stabilization reserves, if this surplus is realized, contributions will be made to the respective reserves.
- The City continues to experience inflationary impacts in 2023 including increased costs on contracts. The City can stay within budget by decreasing the amount of work to be completed.
The City of Saskatoon is on track to deliver a balanced budget for 2023. The City’s 2023 Mid-Year Financial Performance Administrative Report will be presented to SPC Finance on September 6, 2023.
“In analyzing the mid-year forecast, we estimate that at the end of this fiscal year, the Administration will deliver a balanced budget for 2023,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance. “Our mid-year forecast is based on the most current information known to the Administration at the time of preparing this report.”
Each year, the City of Saskatoon’s Administration provides the mid-year, third-quarter and year-end reports to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance (SPC Finance) on the fiscal performance of the City’s Business Plan and Budgets. The goal of this financial reporting is to keep City Council and residents informed on the City’s financial performance as the year progresses.
Importantly, City Administration forecasts that $4.9 million will be saved through ongoing spending restrictions. These forecast savings, combined with projected underspending of $3.5 million in Snow and Ice and additional revenues of $2.5 million in Transit/Access Transit’s operating budget, are anticipated to help offset the 2023 Budget’s known financial pressures and any other forecasted shortfalls.
Details of the 2023 Budget variances are included in Appendix 1 - 2023 Year-End Projections by Business Line. Note, that the year-end figures are based on projections and estimates, and some have a high degree of volatility.
“While these mid-year financial figures are preliminary and based on data available at this time, Administration will continue to follow existing spending restrictions to minimize the potential for a year-end deficit,” adds Smith. “We continue to tightly monitor all discretionary spending and keep to our hiring restrictions which have been in place since 2020. We will, of course, balance these measures with the need to continue providing good value in the delivery of all civic services to the residents and businesses we serve.”
Additional key information/ results from the mid-year financial reporting:
City Administration will provide the next 2023 financial performance report through its third-quarter projections in November 2023.
Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information on the City's multi-year budget planning process.
Black cart size options and proposed curbside residential garbage utility fees to be presented to committee
August 30, 2023 - 4:00pm
The City Administration will next week present a plan designed to give households more choice on what they pay for garbage collection. On Tuesday, September 5, Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EU&CS) will hear details on cart size options, timelines and proposed rates for the garbage utility in 2024.
As previously directed by Council, the funding source for black cart garbage services will shift from property taxes to a utility model in 2024. Three different black cart sizes will be available to eligible households with curbside collection.
“Our aim is to offer residents a range of cart sizes that align with the waste requirements of their households,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “With the success of the Green Cart Program, there is less waste in the black carts. The variable utility model means that households will have more control over their costs and only pay for the waste they actually produce.”
The cart sizes include the current large (360L) as well as a medium (240L) and a small (120L – 135L) black cart. Requests to change cart size will be accepted beginning in January 2024 with smaller black cart deliveries expected in the spring. There will be no fee for a household’s initial cart swap to allow residents sufficient time to right-size their carts.
A fixed utility rate of approximately $9.92 per month will be in place for all residents with curbside garbage collection until cart swaps are completed. The variable utility fees will not be implemented until mid-year following cart swaps. The proposed monthly utility rates for black cart services are approximately as follows: small (120 L – 135L) cart - $3.73, medium (240 L) - $7.05 and large (360 L) - $10.58 and can be seen here. A process for property managers and condo boards to manage bulk requests is being developed.
If Administration's recommendations are endorsed by Committee, they will be formally approved by City Council at its meeting on September 27.
The variable cart options will increase residents’ control over their costs and encourages reduction of waste by providing financial incentives for waste diversion. Communities that use similar approaches have seen their waste diversion rates increase by 5-17%, as residents improve their use of diversion programs and find new ways to reduce their general waste generation.
Program details for the $100 per year low-income Waste Utility Subsidy will also be included in a separate report presented at EU&CS.
Garbage collection will remain bi-weekly year-round. To view your collection calendar, visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.