Stuck in a rut: 24 graders working to level Saskatoon roads

Recent freezing and thawing have left deep ruts and water pooling in Saskatoon’s residential neighbourhoods, but the problem should hopefully level out soon with dozens of graders hitting the road.

Late in the evening on Feb. 5, the City of Saskatoon released an update on its snow and ice management plan for residential streets.

According to the release, “city-wide rut levelling on local streets with City Crews and Contractor support” started Thursday night.

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The City anticipates it’ll take about five days to finish, with approximately 24 graders working in “residential areas based on conditions and coordinated with the collection schedules,” the statement reads.

The neighbourhoods scheduled for the night of Thursday, Feb. 5, were: Aspen Ridge, Brighton Rosewood, Silverspring, Evergreen, Silverwood Heights and College Park.

The neighbourhoods scheduled for the night of Friday, Feb. 6, are: Nutana, Riversdale, Blairmore Suburban Centre, Eastview, Lakewood Suburban Centre, North Park and Lawson Heights.

The neighbourhoods already listed as being completed are: Montgomery Place, Mount Royal and Westmount.

With the ongoing grading, there will be a pause on priority street snow removal.

According to the City, graded snow will get stored, “in windrows or piles in the parking lane, median, or boulevard,” and won’t be removed unless extreme conditions warrant it.

People are reminded to give road equipment the space needed to operate, signalled by their blue and amber flashing lights.

Warm weather should continue

Although the winter season isn’t officially over, Environment and Climate Change Canada senior climatologist David Phillips said the mild weather should continue for a while longer.

“Maybe almost a week and a half, two weeks,” he said. “I don’t see it ending until perhaps Valentine’s Day.”

But, even when the cold returns, Phillips said it won’t be a long deep freeze.

“One thing about when you get winter coming back, and surely it will, it could be two days, not two weeks,” he said. “We still have cold weather in this country, but we’re going to see less extreme cold.”

Though people can look forward to a shorter cold snap, they shouldn’t plan on their roads staying clear for long, despite the much-needed grading taking place.

“In February, on average, and then March, April, May, you get about 35 to 40 per cent of your annual snowfall,” according to Phillips. “So, you still got some shovelling, plowing and pushing to do.”