News Releases

Great things are happening through the improved Street Sweeping program this spring! Enhancements were added this year to the spring blitz, with funding through the dedicated road levy, based on learning from similar programs in the fall and winter.

“With the city growing so quickly, the way we operate our street maintenance programs is changing to provide the best service possible,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “We want to thank residents for their patience and feedback, resulting in some great programs and a clean city.”

New this year are the yellow No Parking signs used to notify drivers of scheduled sweeping dates. Compliance from residents moving their vehicles to accommodate street sweeping allows the City to focus on cleaning the entire roadway quickly and efficiently. To date, parking compliance has been increasing as people become familiar with the signage. 

A new process for cleaning Circle Drive involving up to 18 vehicles at a time was introduced this spring. Additional pilot vehicles and signage allow the City to focus on safety of the workers and drivers. “The work is only done at night to minimize interference with traffic and we’re pleased to report that the program is 26 per cent complete,” says Hyde.

Also new this year is evening sweeping in the school zones.  This program begins June 2 and residents will be notified in advance with yellow No Parking signs.  The area between the School Zone signs is not swept during the daytime accelerated residential street sweeping for the safety of the students and visitors to the schools. 

The street sweeping schedule, Frequently Asked Questions and map of neighbourhoods is available at saskatoon.ca under the Building Better Roads icon. 

If wet or windy weather delays sweeping, the scheduled neighbourhood will be rescheduled and new No Parking signs will be posted in advance to notify residents and the schedule will be updated on the website.

Drivers are reminded to be patient and to drive carefully when they encounter slow moving street-sweeping vehicles.  You may also contact the 24-hour Street Sweeping Hotline at 306-975-2476 or streetsweep@saskatoon.ca.

The following restrictions will be in place overnight Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30 while crews inspect underground utilities. The restrictions will be lifted immediately following the completion of the utility inspections and may not be required for the entire timeframe listed.

- 8th Street eastbound closed from Broadway Avenue to Landsdowne Avenue. Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes

- Broadway Avenue northbound curb (outside) lane will be closed approaching 8th Street

To minimize disruption to traffic the work is scheduled to take place from 11:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., 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! Find traffic detour information on our website at www.saskatoon.ca/go/traffic. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

In light of recently published comments, the City must stress that affordability and efficiency in the City recycling program continues to be our focus.

“The City must stress it is not considering increased fees as a result of some people stealing recyclables from Loraas blue bins,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives.  “The City and Loraas along with the Saskatoon Police Service are working together on solutions.”

The issue which concerns the City is the possibility of coordinated criminal activity: an organized effort of a few individuals to systematically raid blue bins of high-value material such as deposit beverage containers. Loraas depends on this high-value material as a source of revenue for the program, so they can continue to sustain a successful and affordable program for citizens of Saskatoon.

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.

The City of Saskatoon and in motion are pleased to announce a partnership with local fitness providers to offer free outdoor fitness classes this summer in the downtown area.  These fitness classes will be offered in Kiwanis Park North on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., June through August.  Visit www.in-motion.ca for more information. 

Participating fitness providers include:

• How to Run (June 3, 5, 10, and 12) provided by Craven S.P.O.R.T. Services – Registration begins May 15 by emailing css@cravensportservices.ca
• Pilates Core Fusion (June 17, 19, 24, and 26) provided by Lead Pilates – Registration begins May 30 by calling 306-382-7447
• Running/Walking Group (July 1, 3, 8, and 10) provided by Motion Fitness – Registration begins June 15 by emailing events@motionfitness.ca
• Bridge City Boot Camp (July 15, 17, 22, and 24) provided by Bridge City Fitness – Registration begins June 30 by emailing carla@bridgecityfitness.com
• Yoga (July 29 and 31; August 5 and 7) provided by Namaskar Yoga – Registration begins July 15 by emailing bobbi.nordal@gmail.com
• Urban Poling (August 12, 14, 19, and 21) provided by City of Saskatoon Recreation and Sport – Registration begins July 30 by calling 306-975-3354

Residents, visitors, and those working downtown are also encouraged to meet friends and co-workers at the many great locations along the Meewasin Valley trails, and stay “in motion” throughout the summer.

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.

The heavy, super charged rain storm early Monday evening left many city streets and intersections flooded and looking like flowing rivers. 

Water on our city streets does not always indicate something is wrong, but actually is all part of a functional and cost effective storm water management system.  The City’s storm water system is designed to carry water along the streets and gutters during significant rain storms as what was experienced on Monday

When flowing water occurs along the road surface we ask that residents avoid these areas.  Flooded streets can hide popped manhole covers and create a dangerous situation.  Try to avoid entering a flooded street. Water in the streets will often drain very quickly following a heavy rain so we ask residents to be patient. 

If your property is next to a street that is used for storm water in a significant rain event, consider protecting low lying areas such as windows and doors that may be at risk of flooding.

If you see manhole covers that have popped off during a rain storm, please call our Customer Service Dispatch at 306-975-2476.

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.