SASKATOON — The City is again advising the public — motorists and pedestrians — to practise caution while driving and walking on roads, streets and sidewalks this weekend as there’s a possibility of rain.
Possible rain coupled with ongoing snow, weather changes and fluctuating temperatures will affect the City’s road maintenance operations throughout the weekend.
City crews will be monitoring road conditions and responding to ice and snow as best as they can along priority streets and busy intersections to keep Saskatoon's busiest streets clear.
City crews were able to keep Circle Drive from freezing overnight as rain, snow and ice pellets fell in Saskatoon Thursday.
The salt kept the road wet, and the mild temperatures and sunny sky helped dry it out Friday afternoon before temperatures dropped Friday night.
Salt and sand are being applied on all priority streets, busy intersections and bridge walkways, as required.
Up to five centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate over the weekend, which could require a snow event declaration that would call in contractor graders to help the City grade all priority streets quickly.
With higher-than-average snowfalls so far this winter, the snow piles are getting higher along all priority streets.
Removal of these piles is ongoing; however, it will be interrupted by these weather changes, as staff are reassigned to ensure driving lanes on priority streets are in good condition.
The City reminds people on residential streets where grading did not occur this winter that these streets will be graded only just prior to the spring melt, if the snowpack on streets is 15 centimetres thick.
This would help prevent deep ruts as the snow softens. The graded snow would be stored in piles in the parking lane and would not be removed.
Learn more about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
