News Releases

Saskatoon Fire Department reminds the residents of Saskatoon that on Labour Day low-hazard fireworks can only be detonated on private property between the hours of dusk to 11:00pm.

Low-hazard or family fireworks are designed for public recreational use and include some roman candles, sparklers, fountains, wheels, volcanoes, mines and snakes that do not travel above 18m (60ft.). 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.

Before setting off fireworks on your private property choose your location wisely and carefully follow all of the instructions on the fireworks. You will need a wide clear site with no overhead obstructions. For example, a roman candle needs an area of about 30m (100ft) by 30m (100ft) with enough room for spectators around the perimeter. Keep in mind that you are responsible for any debris that may land on your spectators or another person’s property.

After dusk, when you are ready to fire, make sure that it is not windy, that everyone under 18 is supervised by an adult and that you always carefully light the fuse at its tip. Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand.

Wait at least 30 minutes for the fireworks to cool before beginning the clean-up process. It is safest to dispose of used fireworks and debris in a pail of water. Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that didn’t ignite.

Detonating low-hazard fireworks outside of the specified timeframe or on public property is prohibited in the Fire and Protective Services Bylaw No. 7990. Please report unauthorized use or discharge of fireworks to the Saskatoon Fire Department by calling 306-975-3030.

Persons wanting to have a fireworks display that includes high-hazard fireworks, detonating low-hazard fireworks on public property, or any fireworks display outside of the designated times, must first obtain a Fireworks Permit. For information on Fireworks Permits, please contact the Marshal at 306-975-2520 or visit www.saskatoon.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

As a thank you to customers, admission will be free at the following City of Saskatoon summer leisure sites on Monday, September 1, 2014:
• Lathey Pool from 1 to 7 p.m.
• Riversdale Pool from 1 to 8 p.m.
Kinsmen Play Village will also be open regular hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2014.
General admission fees will still apply at the indoor pools in Lawson Civic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, and Shaw Centre.
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 provincial ban on pruning elm trees ends Sunday, August 31, 2014.  The ban was in place to ensure that elm bark beetles, which transmit Dutch Elm Disease (DED), were not attracted to trees freshly pruned throughout the summer months when the beetles were most active.

The provincial DED regulations also restrict elm storage because elm wood, especially firewood, is habitat for the elm bark beetle.  At any time of year, elm branches, logs, and firewood must be taken to the nearest approved disposal site.  In Saskatoon, the landfill is the only site approved for elm disposal.  Movement of infected firewood is the most likely way that DED would be brought into Saskatoon. 

Saskatoon does not have DED and the City of Saskatoon thanks all citizens for their support in preventing our city’s 25,000 boulevard and park elm trees from the disease. 

For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca (under “D” for Dutch Elm Disease).
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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4TH AVE SB LANES & NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST TO 19TH ST
(Patch paving)
Start: August 29, 7:00 a.m. End: August 29, 1:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE & TAYLOR ST 4-WAY STOP
(Signal maintenance)
Start: August 29, 9:00 a.m. End: August 29, 1:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 20TH ST E
(Fireworks festival)
Start: August 29, 4:00 p.m. End: August 31, 12:00 p.m.
ONGOING
MCORMOND DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO HIGHWAY 5
(Water main lining)
Kerr Rd closed from Kenderdine Rd to McOrmond Dr
Start: August 27, 9:00 a.m. End: September 17, 6:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST W CLOSED FROM SASKATCHEWAN CRES W TO LORNE AVE
(Road Resurfacing)
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR S WB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Drainage Work)
Traffic will detour on City Centre bypass.
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic in NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave.
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.
20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Traffic will merge to one lane
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map, find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Crews have not only been busy improving the roadways this construction season; the City is also spending $10.6 million on water and sewer infrastructure upgrades.

“We are actively taking steps to improve our network,” says Chris Hallam, Director of Construction and Design. “We give priority to those water and sewer mains that have a high break history, in an effort to minimize the potential for future breaks.”

This spring and summer, the City has been rehabilitating 6.14 kilometres of water mains and almost 8 kilometres of storm and sanitary sewer mains using a technology that involves lining the existing pipes with an inner pipe, known as a Cured-In-Place Pipe. This trenchless method has proven to work well to extend the service life of a main. Instead of digging up the entire roadway, access pits are dug at either end of the pipe, which in turn is more cost effective and less disruptive to residents and drivers.

Water and sewer upgrades also involve lead connection replacements, storm and sanitary manhole rehabilitation and sanitary connection replacements.

“Although these upgrades are not as visible as road improvements, they are important in maintaining a high quality of infrastructure for our residents,” says Hallam. “Some of the road restrictions drivers are encountering, for example on 8th Street East and 11th Street West, are required for these types of upgrades.”

Meantime, the City has completed 65% of the 2014 Road Rehabilitation and Preservation program, resurfacing 119 lane kilometres to date. Crews have recently finished major resurfacing projects on Circle Drive, Millar Avenue and Idylwyld Drive.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map.  Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.