News Releases

The University Bridge has reopened after a fire underneath the bridge deck late Sunday night resulted in damage to a sanitary sewer main and a full bridge closure.  

The bridge reopened following a structural inspection this morning, however, traffic restrictions are in place until the sanitary sewer line, which was melted by the fire, can be repaired. A temporary bypass line will remain on a section of the east end of the bridge and on the north walkway, which remains closed.

“Until the sanitary sewer line is repaired, and the bypass line is no longer needed, traffic is being accommodated with one lane in each direction,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “Signage is in place and drivers are encouraged to utilize the zipper merging technique by taking turns at the merge points.”

The City of Saskatoon continues to work closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as wastewater spilled out of the damaged sanitary sewer line onto the bridge arches and riverbank below. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge remains closed as the cleanup continues. The walkway under the far west end of the bridge also remains temporarily closed to accommodate the bypass sanitary sewer line. The south walkway of the bridge and the Meewasin Trail on the west side of the bridge are open.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

The University Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since early Monday morning due to a fire which resulted in damage to a sanitary sewer main underneath the bridge, will be inspected tomorrow. If there are no structural concerns and the bridge re-opens, traffic restrictions will be in place until the damaged sanitary sewer line can be repaired.

“Heat from the fire melted the sewer line, so until the repair is complete, a temporary bypass line will remain on a section of the east end of the bridge deck and on the north walkway,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “At this time, we don’t have a timeline for repair.”

The City of Saskatoon has been working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment to comply with regulations, and today crews are on the scene cleaning up frozen wastewater that spilled out of the damaged sanitary sewer line. The City will then be able to safely access under the bridge to conduct tomorrow’s inspection.

The walkway on the north side of the University Bridge is closed, but the south walkway is open. For safety, pedestrians and cyclists are advised to stay on the south walkway and off the bridge deck. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge and the walkway under the far west end of the bridge are closed. The Meewasin Trail on the west side of the bridge remains open.

Saskatoon Transit is 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.

A fire that started underneath the University Bridge overnight is extinguished, but the bridge remains closed to traffic. Detours are in place.

Heat from the fire melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line underneath the bridge. A temporary 500 metre bypass line is now in place and operational. Arrangements are being made for a contractor to repair the damaged sanitary sewer line.

City engineers have completed an initial assessment of the bridge and there appears to be no structural concerns, however a bridge inspection has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 22. Although the bridge will remain closed to traffic until the inspection is completed or the damaged sanitary sewer line can be repaired, the pedestrian walkway on the south side of the University Bridge remains open. The Meewasin Trail underneath the east side of the bridge is closed.

Saskatoon Transit is 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.

University Bridge is closed due to an apparent encampment fire under the bridge. Traffic detours are in place. Fire crews remain on the scene; they are monitoring and extinguishing hot spots that have arisen due to the difficult access and confined space.  

City engineers have been on scene overnight, the bridge has been inspected and there are no structural concerns with the bridge. 

At 9:57 p.m. Sunday, January 19, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire underneath the University Bridge closest to the east riverbank. When SFD crews arrived they identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge.  

 As a result of the fire, heat has melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line under the bridge. This has led to a break in the sewer line and sewage is leaking onto the riverbank. The Water Security Agency has been notified. 

Water and Wastewater crews are working to set up a bypass for the sewer line and doing modelling to ensure there is enough capacity so residents don’t experience sewer backups.  

University Bridge is expected to remain closed to traffic for most of the day, however the south side pedestrian walkway will be open and accessible from the top. The Meewasin trail underneath the bridge on the east side of the river will remain closed due to the sewage leak.  

Saskatoon Transit will 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. 

University bridge is shut down completely due to a fire under the bridge. Detours are in place. Drivers are asked to re-route their commute and pedestrians are asked to avoid University Bridge area while crews remain on scene.

Saskatoon Transit will 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.

At 9:57 p.m. the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire at Spadina Crescent and 25th Street East. SFD crews responded and identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge. Assessments of this incident are ongoing.

More information will be shared once available.

Following two separate online panel surveys conducted in late spring 2024, a strong majority of respondents say they are satisfied with life in Saskatoon. The 84 per cent satisfied response rate is consistent with the 2023 and 2021 results.

“The surveys reveal some very encouraging results,” says Carla Blumers, Director of Communications and Public Engagement. “The data reflect residents’ strong connection to city services and an appreciation for what Saskatoon has to offer as a community.”

The Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council will receive a report detailing the 2024 Civic Service Survey results at its January 21, 2025, public meeting.

A significant majority – almost three-quarters – of respondents indicate quality of life in Saskatoon is good or very good. Several surveys conducted by various organizations over the past year found levels of satisfaction and quality of life are falling across Canada. The quality of life results for Saskatoon reflect these trends as evidenced with a slight decline, but these measures still continue to receive high ratings.

The survey also helps to identify opportunities to improve by understanding the most important issues residents say our city faces. The surveys reveal homelessness and public safety are the issues that people are most concerned about with responses of 23 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.

“The feedback from residents is critically important to the path forward for our city, and I want to thank everyone who participated in the survey,” says Mayor Cynthia Block. “I am encouraged that residents continue to enjoy good quality of life in our city, and together we will work to ensure all people have housing and feel safe in their neighbourhoods.”

A total of 31 different city services were evaluated by respondents. The quality and value of those civic services continue to receive high ratings. Three-quarters or 75 per cent of respondents report they are satisfied with the quality of services provided by the City and slightly more – 78 per cent – responded they receive good or very good value from the services provided by the City of Saskatoon.

Key strengths include maintaining services for quality of drinking water, fire protection, reliability of electrical service, speed of water main break repairs and garbage collection. These five were also identified as key strengths in 2023.

Policing is shown as a priority for service improvement. This is a change from 2023 where police service was identified as a key strength.

Like the 2023 results, most respondents indicate they would like the City to provide more service for: 

• Affordable Housing (70%)                  
• Road Maintenance (66%)                 
• Snow & Ice Management (57%)    
• Police (51%)

Most respondents indicate they would like the City to provide the same level of service for:

• Fire Services (69%)
• Garbage Collection and Waste Reduction Programs and Services (64%)
• Parks Maintenance (64%)
• Recreation & Cultural Programs (58%) 

Although to a lesser degree when compared to 2023, respondents indicate they would like the City to provide less service for: 

• Community Grants (15%) 
• Planning and Growth (10%) 
• Recreation and Cultural Programs (10%) 
• Affordable housing (10%)

A summary of both surveys is available in the report. The detailed 2024 Civic Services Survey results are available at saskatoon.ca/civic-services-surveys.

“The 2024 results reflect a solid foundation to build upon in the future,” Blumers says. “The City will use the results to inform decisions related to strategic priorities, budgeting, and service delivery, as well as to highlight opportunities for continuous improvement.”

Administration will continue conducting both surveys on an annual basis with online panel participants.

The City of Saskatoon has once again achieved a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “Stable” outlook, confirmed today by S&P Global Ratings (S&P). The City has maintained the highest rating possible for 23 years since S&P first began affirming the City’s rating in 2002.  

“Saskatoon City Council and the Administration are committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency as we focus on delivering high-quality civic services and programs to residents today and into the future. The endorsement by S&P confirms that we continue to be on the right track,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.  

“While we are excited to receive the ‘AAA’/Stable credit once again, it’s not something we take for granted,” says Hack. “This rating reaffirms that the City is managing its finances responsibly as we continue to focus on planning appropriately to ensure we can meet the needs of our growing city now and for years to come.”  

S&P rates the City of Saskatoon’s institutional framework as “extremely predictable and supportive” and bases credit context on having “effective financial management practices [that] will support strong operating balances.”  

S&P’s rationale and outlook contributing to the confirmation of the City’s strong credit rating within the January 15, 2025, S&P Global Ratings Direct® Report states: 

• “Saskatoon’s small, diverse economy and strong population growth will support its creditworthiness.” 

• “We expect the City’s strong financial management, coupled with an extremely predictable and supportive institutional framework, will support the rating.”  

• “Saskatoon’s strong and prudent financial management is a key credit strength, in our view. Although the recent municipal elections resulted in a historic turnover among council, the city’s administration remains largely stable, with significant experience and a record of effectively enacting fiscal policies.”  

• “We view both management accountability and transparency to be strong, as reflected in ongoing disclosures and grounded assumptions, as well as prudent financial policies.” 

• “The City consistently produces robust annual budget documents. It also prepares multi-year operating and capital budgets for upcoming years, alongside comprehensive long-term capital and borrowing plans. This underpins fiscal transparency and discipline, in our assessment.” 

S&P Global report indicates that the City of Saskatoon’s strong budgetary performance will ensure a manageable debt burden amid large capital expenditures including Link (Bus Rapid Transit), infrastructure maintenance, and firehalls. With these projects being partially funded out of the City’s reserves, S&P expects after-capital surpluses averaging 2.8% of revenues during the base-case period.  

“The City is moving forward with significant projects, such as Link, that support the needs of a growing city,” says Hack. “We are confident in our plans to deliver these projects in a fiscally responsible manner, and this is underpinned by S&P’s assessment.” 

Credit ratings are one of several tools that investors and lenders use when making decisions regarding an organization’s future financial strengths and weaknesses. For the City of Saskatoon, the ‘AAA’/Stable rating serves as an indication of the City’s credit risk and ability to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. 

View reports on the City of Saskatoon’s financial performance and credit rating history at saskatoon.ca. 

The 2024 Point-in-Time Count has identified 1,499 individuals in Saskatoon experiencing homelessness. The count offers a “snapshot” of individuals and families residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing, unsheltered locations including encampments, systems, and experiencing hidden homelessness.

“The results of this count represent the minimum number of individuals experiencing unsheltered and sheltered homelessness in Saskatoon,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “These numbers and demographics will improve our understanding of the needs and circumstances of the people who are affected by homelessness in our community.”

The City of Saskatoon, in partnership with the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), the Reaching Home Community Entity in Saskatoon, and the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) at the University of Saskatchewan, along with numerous community organizations and well over 200 volunteers conducted a Point-in-Time (PiT) Homelessness Count on October 8, 2024.

“SHIP believes that we need to continue to work as a community to reduce the number of homeless people,” says Robert LaFontaine, SHIP Executive Director. “The PiT count effectively sets the work we need to do going forward.”

The 2024 homelessness count has increased nearly three times in the overall number compared to the last count conducted in 2022. While some of this increase reflects the recognition of new categories, numerous other factors have contributed to this significant rise. By reporting these updated figures, we align our efforts with those of other municipalities across the country, promoting consistency and collaboration in addressing homelessness on a national scale. 

Further data collected from the PiT Count surveys will be released in early 2025 when we launch the Saskatoon PiT Community Report. Volunteers, media, survey participants and local agencies are welcome to attend. Further information will be available in the New Year.

The Dudley Street Walking and Cycling Improvements project has been completed, with a 30 kilometre per hour (km/h) speed limit in effect since September 30, 2024. The third neighbourhood bikeway project to be completed in 2024, this joint investment of more than $2.6 million with the Government of Canada through the Active Transportation Fund has supported the construction of vital pedestrian and cycling infrastructure on Dudley Street between Dawes Avenue and Spadina Crescent. 

 “The Dudley Street improvements make it easier and safer for residents to choose active transportation options like walking and cycling,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “These connections are not only practical but also enhance the overall quality of life by linking our neighbourhoods, green spaces and workplaces.” 

The project includes the addition of one kilometre of shared-use pathway, 800 metres of neighborhood bikeway and approximately one kilometre of newly installed sidewalk. These enhancements connect residential neighborhoods with key areas such as the West Industrial Area, recreational spaces and the scenic Meewasin Trail along the South Saskatchewan River. 

“Whether walking, biking or driving, commuters need to reach their destinations as safely and efficiently as possible. Today’s completion of the Dudley Street Walking and Cycling Improvements project is great news for Saskatoon, providing the community with more options to get around,” says the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities 

These new facilities will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The City of Saskatoon is committed to promoting active transportation and creating safer, more connected routes throughout the city. 

For more information on cycling infrastructure in the City of Saskatoon please visit saskatoon.ca/cycling. 

The City of Saskatoon released its 2023 Climate Action Progress Report, detailing strides and ongoing efforts in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advancing climate mitigation, adaptation, and green network plans.

“We are encouraged to see the community emissions trending downward. Whether you are taking the bus or using active transportation, making home or business energy retrofits, or finding other ways to reduce your electricity consumption and tailpipe emissions, every little bit helps to keep moving us toward our larger goal of net-zero by 2050”, says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability.

Emission Reduction Highlights

• Community GHG Emissions Reduction: Community-wide GHG emissions decreased by 12% relative to the 2014 baseline. Emissions were 3,371,700 tonnes CO₂e in 2023, down from 3,852,200 tonnes CO₂e in 2014. The largest reductions were seen in the Stationary Energy and Waste sectors.
• Corporate (City operations) GHG Emissions Reduction: Corporate GHG emissions decreased by 7% relative to the 2014 baseline. Emissions were 207,400 tonnes CO₂e in 2023, down from 222,200 tonnes CO₂e in 2014. The largest reductions were seen in the Streetlighting and Buildings sectors.
• Interim Targets: Despite these reductions, Saskatoon fell short of its 2023 interim targets. The City aimed for a community reduction of 15% below the 2014 baseline and a Corporate (City operations) reduction of 40% below the 2014 baseline. Updated interim targets based on remodeled projections toward the City’s 2050 net-zero emissions target will be included in the new Climate Action Plan, expected in 2025.

For the first time, this progress report includes information on the Green Network to recognize the importance of nature-based climate solutions in the City’s climate action planning.  While this reporting is at a starting point, nature-based climate solutions are key to achieving the net-zero emissions target of the new Climate Action Plan being detailed and delivered in 2025.

Progress on Key Plans

• Green Pathways: Progress includes the initiation of natural area management plans for the Small Swale and Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, planning to install food forests in Leif Erickson Park and Boughton Park, and the incorporation of green network considerations into park upgrade designs for Parkridge Park, John Avant Park, Forestry Farm Linkage, Balsam Park, Parc Canada, Buena Vista Park, Robert Hunter West Park, and Weaver Park.
• Low Emissions Community (LEC) Plan: Highlights include completion of 100 residential home energy efficiency retrofits through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), construction of a BRT Pilot Station, a 33% waste diversion rate, and significant savings from park and sports field irrigation pilots.
• Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy: Progress includes the establishment of the Climate Adaptation Program, implementation of weather-related procedures for outdoor staff, and completion of a Crisis Communications Plan.

Benefits 

Climate action not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances health, quality of life, and economic stability. It offers long-term savings and reduces risks for the community.

The Green network supports biodiversity, mitigates extreme weather impacts, and improves storm water management, while promoting health and well-being through access to green spaces, recreational opportunities, and enhanced urban aesthetics. 

The City of Saskatoon remains committed to its sustainability goals and will continue to work towards a sustainable future.

Learn more about Saskatoon's climate action progress at saskatoon.ca/ClimateTargets or visit saskatoon.ca/ClimateDashboard for specific tracking on the Low Emissions Community Plan.