News Releases

This afternoon, Saskatoon Light & Power experienced two separate power outages that affected customers in various areas of the city. Both outages were promptly addressed, and power was restored quickly.

The first outage lasted six minutes and affected east-central neighbourhoods, including Holliston, Adelaide Churchill, Haultain, Greystone Heights, Varsity View, Brevoort Park, Eastview and Nutana Park. The second event, lasting 17 minutes, impacted approximately 35,000 customers across the majority of the west, north, and east regions of the SL&P franchise area.

The outages were caused by the failure of a device called a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) at the Taylor Street Substation. The RTU is a computer that enables remote operation of the substation. When the RTU failed, it inadvertently caused a switch to open, leading to the outages. The failed unit has been disconnected to prevent further disruptions, and its replacement is being prioritized for the coming weeks.

Today’s outages were unrelated to last week’s power issues caused by a mechanical failure of a switch at a different substation. The two incidents appear to be an unfortunate coincidence.

Saskatoon Light & Power prides itself on maintaining one of Canada's best reliability scores among electricity providers. Although equipment failures can happen from frequent use and exposure to the environment, SL&P’s team is committed to quickly resolving these issues to minimize any impact on customers.

For more information on Saskatoon Light & Power, or to view the outage map, visit Saskatoon.ca/SL&P.

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

NEW

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 35TH ST W TO 37TH ST W
(Sanitary sewer inspection)
Start: December 11, 8:00 a.m. End: December 11, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO PRESTON AVE S
(Streetlight pole repairs)
Start: December 11, 9:00 a.m. End: December 11, 3:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(Streetlight pole repairs)
Start: December 11, 9:00 a.m. End: December 11, 3:00 p.m.

2ND AVE N SB MEDIAN & CURB LANES CLOSED FROM KING ST TO QUEEN ST
(Manhole repair)
Start: December 11, 12:00 p.m. End: December 11, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail improvements)
Start: December 10, 7:00 p.m. End: December 11, 6:00 a.m.

19TH ST E EB LANES & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Crane work)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 5:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Building maintenance)
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P construction)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: December 18, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 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.

4th Avenue will be closed between 22nd and 23rd streets on Tuesday, December 10, starting at 9:00 a.m. for vault work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take six hours 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.

Central Avenue is closed between 109th and 110th streets starting this morning for unplanned water main repairs. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This work 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.

With the influx of snow and colder temperatures, winter months typically see an increase in fires and carbon monoxide incidents. The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents to follow these winter safety tips: 

1. Check your exit/egress points 
   • Keep all doors and bedroom windows accessible and free of snow and other obstructions. They should be easy to open in case of an emergency.
   • Regularly review your fire escape plan and test all exits to make sure they are functional.
2. Clear snow and ice accumulation 
   • Check your roof for snow buildup. Melting snow that freezes can form ice dams, blocking drainage and causing water to seep under shingles, leading to leaks and damage.  
   • Keep intake and exhaust vents for furnaces and heating appliances free of ice and snow accumulations to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide build-up. 
   • When shoveling snow, clear fire hydrants of ice and snow so firefighters can quickly find and use them in an emergency. 
3. Inspect appliances and service equipment 
   • Regularly inspect the pipes and valves on fuel-burning appliances like water heaters, furnaces and gas stoves. Look for signs of wear, rust or leaks. 
   • Have your furnace, fireplace, water heater and other fuel-burning appliances cleaned and inspected by a professional to make sure they work properly and don’t emit carbon monoxide. 
4. Use electricity wisely 
   • Avoid overloading extension cords and power strips, as this can cause overheating and fires. 
   • Use cords rated for the device’s power needs and never use damaged or frayed cords. 
5. Test and maintain alarms 
   • Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year. 
   • Place carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas, and test them every three months. Replace units every seven years or sooner if required.

By taking these proactive measures, you can contribute to the safety and well-being of your family and neighbours. Stay safe this winter season!