News Releases

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

NEW

MCCORMACK RD EB & WB CLOSED FROM BORLAND PL TO WHITECAP CRES
(Road resurfacing)
Start: September 25, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB FROM MELROSE AVE TO MCPHERSON AVE
(Water main work)
Start: September 25, 8:00 a.m. End: September 25, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Minor bridge repair)
Start: September 25, 9:00 a.m. End: September 25, 3:00 p.m.

SPADINA CRES E CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Step Up Marathon (Special Event))
Start: September 25, 6:00 p.m. End: September 27, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED & LANE RESTRICTIONS ON RAMP FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO 51ST ST E
(Overnight paint markings)
Start: September 25, 7:00 p.m. End: September 26, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

51ST ST E WB AVE C N
(Overnight durable paint marking)
Start: September 24, 7:00 p.m. End: September 25, 6:00 a.m.

AVE W S INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 21ST ST W
(Sewer work)
Start: September 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 25, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N NB/SB FROM 14TH ST E TO FIELD HOUSE RD
(Link Station Construction)
Start: September 11, 12:00 p.m. End: September 25, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E 
(Water main work) 
Start: July 29, 7:00 a.m. End: September 25, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 4TH AVE N
(Water main work)
Start: August 24, 12:00 p.m. End: September 25, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 2ND AVE N
(Water main work)  
Start: September 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 27, 5:00 p.m.

KENSINGTON BLVD CLOSED AT ELLS CRES
(Water main work)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT VENTURE CRES
(Road work)
Start: September 17, 8:00 a.m. End: September 28, 4:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N WB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM CIRCLE DR E TO PRESTON AVE N
(Link Station Construction)
Start: August 25, 7:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB PARKING LANE CLOSED AT AVE E N
(Water main project)
Start: September 21, 8:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m.

VICTORIA AVE NB CLOSED FROM 2ND ST E TO 4TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: August 12, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE CLOSED FROM 2ND ST E TO 4TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: August 20, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

LORNE AVE NB LANES CLOSED FROM WILLOW ST E TO MAPLE ST E
(Construction work)
Two-way traffic set in SB lanes
Start: August 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB PARKING & CURB LANES CLOSED AT AVE B S
(Streetscaping)
Start: June 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS HOSPITAL DRIVE TO CUMBERLAND AVENUE  
(Link Construction)  
Two-way traffic with one lane in each direction to be maintained in the EB lanes. Wiggins Ave open for WB to NB and SB to WB right turns only. Saskatchewan Cres access from College Dr is closed. University Dr NB between Elliot St and College Dr is closed. Access to Munroe Ave at College Dr is closed.  
Start: September 4, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 7:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM WILSON CRES TO CIRCLE DR S
(Link Station Construction)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM COLLEGE DR TO 108TH ST W
(Overpass repairs)
Start: September 24, 9:00 p.m. End: October 4, 5:00 p.m.

108TH ST W OVERPASS EB & WB CURB LANES CLOSED OVER CIRCLE DR E
(Bridge impact repair)
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO PORTAGE AVE
(Sewer work)
Start: August 13, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 6:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N CLOSED FROM 26TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Water main work)
Start: September 21, 7:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD NB CLOSED FROM MARQUIS DR W TO 72ND ST E
(Construction)
Two-way traffic in SB lanes
Start: May 11, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 1ST AVE N
(Water main work)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: October 15, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE N NB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM INNOVATION BLVD TO RESEARCH DR
(Link Station Construction)
Start: September 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 15, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO FEDORUK DR
(Road work)
Start: August 17, 9:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.

FEDORUK DR EB LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Road work)
Start: August 17, 9:00 a.m. End: October 19, 5:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO ST GEORGE AVE
(Water main construction)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: October 23, 4:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD CLOSED AT 72ND ST E
(Pipeline work)
Start: July 27, 7:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

71ST ST E ALL DIRECTIONS FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO WAKOOMA ST  
(Median upgrade)  
Start: August 7, 10:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT LANSDOWNE AVE 
(Water main work) 
Start: September 9, 7:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

12TH ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT DUFFERIN AVE
(Water main construction)
Start: September 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 17, 4:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB PARKING LANE & SIDEWALK CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 9TH ST E
(Building construction)
Start: August 31, 8:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 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.

Updated to include 9:15 a.m. statement.

2:00 p.m. - Updated Statement

The clean-up and fencing activity for the encampment at 20th Street and Avenue K has been paused.

The level of aggressive protest from community advocacy groups has made any work at the site unsafe.

Fire and partner agency workers report most of the protest activity does not involve homeless occupants.

Crews had been prepared to clean up two vacant lots on 19th Street and Avenue K however, protesters encircled contractor vehicles, going so far as to climb on top of the fencing stacked on one of them.

Saskatoon Fire Department, police officers and other partner agency staff were confronted by aggressive protesters directing profane, derogatory and vulgar comments at them.

As a sign of good faith, the Saskatoon Fire Department was opting to forgo a clean-up of 301 Avenue K South as that address is the subject of a court application that will be heard next week.

We know this is frustrating for many in our community, notably the St. Mary’s school families and staff who have been asking for officials to take action for the past year.

City and partner agencies are planning next steps.

**********

9:15 a.m. - Statement

We know you have heard or seen some news stories or social posts about how the City has dealt with an encampment at 20th Street West and Avenue K South.

Some suggest that people be allowed to live in small communities of tents to address the lack of adequate housing.

At face value, that might seem like a reasonable response, but it has many risks and dangers, which is why the City takes a different approach by removing encampments from private or public property under the Property Maintenance Bylaw.

The City’s encampment response prioritizes outreach and connecting people with available supports and services such as access to shelter, housing, food providers, transportation and medical care.

Each response follows four phases, with outreach offered throughout the process.

Individuals are then granted some time to gather their belongings and vacate the encampment. Anything left behind is removed by City staff or contractors.

However, in light of a recent King’s Bench court filing, the lot at 301 Avenue K south will not be cleaned up. Two other adjacent lots will be cleaned.

Here are the facts:

The situation at Avenue K and 20th Street has resulted in escalating safety concerns each day. The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has received a high volume of calls, emails and concerns from residents, nearby businesses in addition to the parents and staff of St. Mary’s school, two blocks away.

The Salvation Army has been on scene since August 5, twice a week to connect people living at this site with housing, transportation, outreach and other supports. Many have accepted support.

The City relies on Saskatoon’s Property Maintenance Bylaw because it enforces safe and adequate housing.

Encampments do not meet this standard because:

• There is no access to utilities – water, sewer, heat or electricity
• There is nowhere to remove yourself from the elements

Encampments that remain in place may grow over time and increase risks such as:

• Accumulated human waste, garbage and discarded needles
• Rainwater causing contaminated waste to pool
• Attraction of pests and rodents
• Unattended or uncontrolled fires
• Increased drug use and overdose-related calls
• Reported gang activity
• Reported concerns about human exploitation or trafficking

There are growing concerns for public health as fire inspectors have observed human waste and rotting food which have attracted insects and rodents.

The City’s goal is to always support the safety and well-being of people staying at the site, but also support the safety and well-being of neighbouring residents and businesses, St. Mary’s School students and staff as well as the broader community.

Here is the background to today’s action:

On September 10, 2026, a Notice to Remedy (under the Bylaw) was issued for the Avenue K parking lot.

By September 15, the SFD reported encampments at the parking lot had grown, with additional encampments on three nearby vacant lots.

In recent weeks, The Salvation Army has noted that some people who had previously accepted support, participated in case management or used Mobile Outreach services are now declining assistance. Some individuals have told outreach workers they plan to remain at the encampment now because they believe support will be available there at the vacant lots. As a result, planning for winter supports and connections to services has stalled.

On September 21, the SFD attended the site to assess the number of structures and identify what support may be needed. At the time there were 51 structures.

The Salvation Army returned to the site on September 22 and spent four hours offering supports. SFD also served notice that a cleanup would take place and offered help to connect people with services. No one accepted supports during that visit.

SFD returned to the site on the morning of September 23 to again offer support and help people access available services.

The Ministry of Social Services was also scheduled to attend the site at 11:00 a.m. on September 23, alongside Mobile Outreach, SFD and the Saskatoon Police Service. The group was forced to leave because they were confronted by some people at the encampment who were acting aggressively, using profanity and capturing video.

SFD staff also noted community advocates appeared to outnumber the individuals who were staying in the encampment.

Following the City Council approved processes, a cleanup is scheduled for September 24. Contractors have been arranged, and fencing will be installed to help prevent future use of the site.