SASKATOON — The weather will remain cloudy throughout the day with no chance of snow expected and temperatures hovering below 0 degree levels as the City’s crews — under the leadership of Roadways, Fleet, and Support director Goran Saric — work to keep major thoroughfares safe and passable. Several highways going in and out of the city are also cleared.
The snowstorm was a regular winter storm not unlike last year’s weather disturbance that brought blizzard-like conditions and snowfall at 25 to 30 centimetres, which took the city’s crews and its contractors’ days to haul all the snow costing $3 million.
Tuesday’s snowstorm, which began approximately before noon and lasted through most of the night, blanketed the city with an estimated 10 to 15 centimetres of snow with heavy drifting caused by wind gusts of close to 100 kilometres per hour.
The freezing rain that preceded the snowstorm also caused icy conditions on the road coupled by temperatures dropping below 0. Crews from Saric’s department began applying salt Monday night to keep freeways, intersections, on/off ramps, and bridge decks from freezing.
Crews then plowed and graded snow through out the night from Circle Drive and major arterials while also sanding icy intersections and bridge decks to keep the snow sticking on the road. The crews worked through the heavy snowfall.
Snow had already stopped falling and the City has declared a snow event with 30 graders, 10 high speed plows, 20 sanders, and 16 sidewalk plows being used by City’s crews and its contractors in sidewalks, pathways, and driving lanes of priority streets in the next 72 hours.
Saric’s department placed freeways, major arterials, and bridges as its top priority that will be plowed within 12 hours. This includes Circle Drive and three-lane streets like Idylwyld Drive, 22nd Street and College Drive.
Two-lane arterials — like Clarence Avenue, McKercher Drive, and Millar Avenue — and bus routes are priority two and will be graded within 36 hours after the end of a snowstorm. Collector streets, school zones, and business improvement district roads must be completed within 72 hours after a snowstorm.
These are the streets that take you through neighbourhoods like Louise and Howell avenues, and Main Street.
Sidewalks and Pathways that includes City facility sidewalks, the Meewasin Trail, park pathways with street lighting, pathways along freeways, and arterials and bridge/overpass walkways are graded within 48 hours.
Wanuskewin Road, McClocklin Road, Saskatoon Transit terminals, Sen. Sid Buckwold Bridge walkway, Saskatoon Zoo and Forestry Farm Park, Attridge Drive, and Leisure Centres are also included.
The city is also advising motorists to adjust their driving based on road conditions, leave extra space from other vehicles, and watchout for blue and yellow flashing lights on road equipment being used.
Residents can also report locations and areas where there are icy conditions to the City Customer Care Centre at 306.975.2476 or email customercare@saskatoon.ca.
