News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
CREWS ON STANDBY FOR BLOWING SNOW & FREEZING RAIN FORECAST
March 20, 2015 - 11:06am
Current weather forecasts are calling for up to 20 cm of snow over the weekend, strong winds and the possibility of freezing rain. Crews will be sanding and salting priority streets and high risk intersections 24/7 as it snows, with all equipment at the ready.
If the snow reaches 5 cm or more, private contractors will be called in to assist with snow grading on priority streets. Also, regular Snow & Ice service alerts will be issued in the morning and late afternoon and the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.
Strong winds and blowing snow could cause reduced visibility. Drivers are reminded to please use extra caution as roadway conditions change.
To report any hazardous locations please contact Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476
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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.
CITY CREWS READY FOR SNOWY FORECAST
March 19, 2015 - 7:55am
Environment Canada forecasts possible snow flurries this evening and overnight with below normal freezing temperatures and more flurries over the weekend.
As a result City crews are ready to respond 24/7 with the necessary sanding, de-icing and plowing equipment to keep drivers moving around.
Typically the city does not issue service alerts if the snowfall is less than 5 cm.
Citizens can find Better Winter Roads program information at saskatoon.ca/snow or call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476 to report hazardous potholes or roads.
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.
PRIORITY STREETS FOCUS OF POTHOLE REPAIRS
March 13, 2015 - 2:34am
Saskatoon is no stranger to big temperature changes at any time of year. In winter, large temperature fluctuations can cause ground shifts resulting in small cracks in the asphalt. As a result potholes develop when the ground expands and contracts with the freeze/thaw of the water in the cracks. Vehicle traffic also breaks away the edges of the pothole, making the pothole bigger.
City crews are focusing efforts on priority streets and repairing potholes in the driving lanes with cold mix asphalt. This is largely a temporary measure until hot asphalt mix is available in late April or early May. So far this winter, 45 tonnes of cold mix asphalt has been used to repair potholes.
Reports received for residential streets that have hazardous or significant potholes in the driving lane will be investigated. Warning barricades may be installed until either temporary or permanent repairs can be made. Residents are encouraged to report these locations by calling our Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476. An enhanced online Report a Pothole map will be available at Saskatoon.ca in time for the Spring Pothole Blitz repair program.
In addition to potholes, approximately 546 utility cuts, which are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities, are being maintained as required with a grader until they can be permanently paved. Permanent repairs can only be made with hot mix asphalt once the ground frost has thawed.
With even warmer temperatures forecast for this weekend crews are actively engaged in clearing catch basins to prevent water ponding issues. Additionally, crews are busy clearing culvert systems throughout the city to prevent flooding.
Residents can find out more about how to prevent spring melt flooding around their home by searching ‘spring melt’ at saskatoon.ca.
If drivers encounter severe rutting, hazardous potholes, blocked catch basins or other emergency road conditions, they’re asked to report it by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.
For more information on the City’s snow management programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.
SNOW STORAGE SITES CLOSING DUE TO FLOODING AND WET CONDITIONS
March 10, 2015 - 11:27am
The access roads and conditions at the City of Saskatoon snow storage sites are quickly deteriorating due to the warmer temperatures experienced this week. All visitors to these sites are advised to use caution to avoid getting stuck.
To prevent further damage to the condition of roads and prevent vehicles from getting stuck, the following two sites will be closed today at 5:00 p.m. until further notice:
Southeast - 8th Street (east of Boychuck Drive)
Southwest - Valley Road (west of the Saskatoon Landfill access)
The two remaining sites are scheduled to close on Thursday, March 12 at 3:00 p.m.; however, conditions are being closely monitored and they may be required to close sooner.
Northeast - Central Avenue (3.8 km north of Attridge Drive)
Northwest - Wanuskewin Road (1.4 km south of Highway 11)
The City of Saskatoon apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks everyone for their cooperation. Please call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476 for more information and check the City’s website for status updates on closed sites.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.
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SNOW MELT: CITY ROAD OPERATIONS UPDATE
March 9, 2015 - 7:57am
As the warm weather continues to melt snow and ice, crews are repairing potholes on priority one streets with temporary cold mix asphalt. Permanent patching will occur once the temperature is consistently above zero and hot-mix asphalt is available.
Utility cuts, which are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities, are being maintained as required with a grader until they can be permanently paved. Permanent utility cut paving can only occur from approximately May to October, when the ground has defrosted, and when hot-mix asphalt is available. This is to allow the ground to settle and to prevent the permanent asphalt layer from sinking.
Today, crews are grading severe ruts on residential streets in City Park and Exhibition.
The melting snow will drain into the storm water sewer at catch basins located strategically on every street – even those covered by snow. City crews are monitoring any known trouble spots to ensure proper drainage is taking place, and clearing and defrosting any catch basins that may require it.
Drivers are advised to slow down when driving on puddled streets. Pools of water can cover deep potholes and drivers travelling at higher speeds could be caught by surprise, resulting in loss of vehicle control or vehicle damage. When driving through collected water at higher speeds, you could also splash pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles.
If drivers encounter severe rutting, hazardous potholes, blocked catch basins or other emergency road conditions, they’re asked to report it by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476. For more information on the City’s snow management programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.
CITY PREPARED FOR ANTICIPATED MELTING CONDITIONS
March 6, 2015 - 5:00am
- Grading of streets that are experiencing heavy ruts and where there is little option for motorists to avoid. These are typically in core neighbourhoods where roads are narrow.
- Grading residential streets approaching 6 inches (15 cm) snowpack to prevent severe rutting.
- Regular monitoring and sanding of bridge decks, overpasses and high-risk intersections as required during the thaw/freeze cycle.
- Removing snow windrows on remaining priority streets
- Monitoring catch basins at risk for flooding and keeping them clear for melting snow.
- Monitoring critical intersections, ditches, ponds and culverts that may flood during fast melt. Crews and equipment will be ready for emergency situations.
Warmer weather is finally on its way! With above freezing temperatures forecast for at least the next week, melting on many residential streets will significantly reduce the packed snow, and asphalt may see the light again.
“Melting snow will drain into the storm water sewer at catch basins located strategically on every street, even the ones covered by snow,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “In fact, although some catch basins may freeze, the snow cover helps to insulate the drain and keep it from freezing when overnight temperatures are still below freezing.”
Known trouble locations are monitored and if ponding happens around those catch basins, City staff will clear and defrost them as required.
Priority Streets
The proactive grading and snow removal on priority streets has additional benefits for road conditions in warmer weather, such as reducing standing water which causes potholes, and less sand to clean up in springtime. Removal along priority streets continues; so far this winter 10,200 tandem truckloads of snow have already been removed.
Residential Streets
City-wide neighbourhood grading on residential streets is not scheduled at this time. While it improves driving conditions, grading creates windrows of heavy ice and snow that are stored in the parking lane in front of residential homes, and results in loss of on-street parking and narrower streets. Grading is necessary to prevent deep ruts of iced snow that can occur once the packed snow depth is city-wide 6 inches (15 cm). Currently the average snowpack depth on residential streets is 4 inches (10 cm), based on 30 locations measured throughout the city this week.
“Packed snow on roads tends to melt slowly and evenly at above zero temperatures, so many residential streets will be left to melt on their own,” Hyde says. “However, some streets have deeper ruts measuring close to 6” (15 cm) affecting driving conditions. We will be leveraging on this warm weather to allow our crews to address those streets.”
City Snow Melt Activities
Please call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476 to report severe rutting, hazardous potholes, blocked catch basins or emergencies. For more information on the City’s snow management programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.
REMINDER: APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SEASONAL COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES IN PARKS IS TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015
March 5, 2015 - 2:55am
The deadline for applications to operate a Seasonal Commercial Enterprise (SCE) in a Saskatoon park is Tuesday, March 31, 2015, for the 2015 operating season that runs from July 1 to October 12.
City Council approved the new Seasonal Commercial Enterprise in Parks Policy (Policy) earlier this year. The Policy provides the opportunity for anyone wishing to operate a SCE that will support a variety of recreational, sporting, or cultural activities or events in Saskatoon’s parks.
An Adjudication Committee with representatives from the City of Saskatoon (City), Meewasin Valley Authority, Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Broadway Business Improvement District, Riversdale Business Improvement District, and the Partnership, will review and recommend approval of SCE applications. Approval will be based on the applicant’s ability to meet the specific criteria outlined in the Policy.
Once the application has been approved and all required documentation is received by the City, a permit and business license will be issued by the City’s Planning and Development Division. Permit costs range from $600 (not-for-profit) to $1,800 (for profit) annually; the fee for a new business license is $125.
Enforcement of the Policy will be administered through the City’s Community Services Department. It does not include food and beverage opportunities, which are currently available in downtown riverbank parks. The Policy itself is available on www.saskatoon.ca.
Application packages are available by emailing kara.lackie@saskatoon.ca or calling 306-975-3485.
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.
MORE FLEXPARKING PAY STATIONS TO BE ACTIVATED DOWNTOWN
March 3, 2015 - 10:14am
- 1st Avenue between 20th and 23rd Street
- 20th, 22nd and 23rd Street between 1st and 4th Avenue
- Have your licence plate number handy; you’ll need it at every transaction.
- Don’t forget to note the maximum allowable time where you’re parking; you can only park as long as the sign indicates, regardless of how much time you buy.
- You don’t need to display a dashboard ticket; your plate provides proof of payment.
- Balances on your parking purchase can be carried forward to any space that’s been switched over to the new system; balances cannot be applied to coin metered spaces.
- Additional parking time may be purchased after your last purchase expires, provided you have not exceeded the maximum allowable time posted at your parking space.
As the City continues to roll out the FlexParking program in stages, an additional 25 pay stations will be activated on Wednesday, March 4, on the following streets:
When the new, flexible pay stations are turned on, the old coin meters will be covered with a white and yellow hood that directs drivers to use the pay stations. Until drivers encounter this hooding at the space they wish to park, they should continue to plug the old coin meters.
The first FlexParking pay stations were activated along 2nd Avenue and 21st Street on February 19. More stations will continue to be activated in stages, in the weeks to come.
Important tips and reminders:
The City’s Disability and Veteran parking permit programs remain unchanged and drivers are still required to display their placards.
For more information, including a map of where the new FlexParking pay stations are installed, and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/flexparking or call 306-975-2980.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City on Twitter and Facebook.
OPEN HOUSES: RECREATION AND PARKS MASTER PLAN - THURSDAY, MARCH 5 AND 12, 2015
February 26, 2015 - 2:49am
Progress continues on the City of Saskatoon’s (City) Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan) to guide the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities.
The City invites you to an open house to review the initial draft of the Master Plan. Input gathered through community engagement has shaped the Master Plan and the purpose of the open house is to check in with the community to ensure the draft has captured the community’s perspective, before it becomes finalized this Spring.
Members of the consulting team and City representatives will be in attendance to discuss the draft Master Plan and collect any comments you may have.
OPEN HOUSES: Recreation and Parks Master Plan – Initial Draft
Thursday, March 5, 2015
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 12:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 6:00 p.m.
Rusty Macdonald Branch Library – Meeting Room
225 Primrose Drive
Thursday, March 12, 2015
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 12:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 6:00 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre – Meeting Rooms A and B
3130 Laurier Drive
If you are unable to attend the open houses, please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review the draft Master Plan and provide your feedback. If you have questions, please call the City’s Community Development Division at 306-975-2289.
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.
CITY MONITORS STREETS TO DETERMINE TIMING OF CITY-WIDE RESIDENTIAL GRADING
February 19, 2015 - 7:52am
- Snow windrow removal from Business Improvement Districts.
- Snow windrow removal around the school zones. With the February school break in effect the timing of this will help to provide for improved conditions in the drop off zones at the schools.
- The snow train has been activated to remove snow stored along the barrier walls of Circle Drive and the bridges.
City crews have been out measuring the snowpack and rut depth on residential streets to determine when a city-wide snow grading will be initiated. Initial measurements have found an average snowpack of 7.5 centimetres (3 inches). This is currently below the 15 centimetres (6 inches) threshold to trigger a city-wide residential snow grading.
“These are our initial measurements but crews will continue to monitor and assess residential streets over the next few days and we will be in a better position next week to determine the timing of the potential activation of City-wide residential grading,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “In the interim, we are continuing to address trouble spots on residential streets as they are reported.”
This year, the intent is to perform the city-wide residential snow grading program later in the season to reduce the time that windrows adversely affect parking.
“Timing is everything when it comes to initiating City-wide snow grading; the snow pack needs to be thick enough and the weather warm enough to soften the pack so that it can be graded effectively,” says Hyde. “Windrows impact residential on-street parking so we don’t want to initiate it too early. We also don’t want to leave it too late because Spring temperatures can cause deep ruts on snow packed streets.”
So far this winter, 6,800 tandem truckloads of snow have been removed from priority streets which are in good winter driving condition. City Crews continue to work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to sand and salt roads as required.
After the weekend’s snow storm crews are continuing with the following;
Once this work is complete, crews will look to begin removing snow stored in windrows from priority streets as required.
For more information on the City’s Snow & Ice Plan visit Saskatoon.ca and search “Snow Clearing”. To report impassable or hazardous streets call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.