Warm weather means earlier start to Saskatoon street sweeping and pothole filling

The recent warm weather means it’s spring cleanup time in Saskatoon.

Over the next month, city crews will be out in street sweepers clearing dust, dirt and gravel off some of the major roadways.

Roadways manager Tracy Danielson says it’s happening weeks earlier this year compared to last year.

“Last year, we started quite a bit later than we expect to start this year and that was due to some snowfall in early April and some really quite cold temperatures,” Danielson said Friday. “So we are expecting to start quite a bit earlier than we did last year.”

During this initial street sweeping there won’t be any parking restrictions, either. Sweepers will simply go around vehicles on major roadways, unlike the major residential street sweeping program that’s likely to begin in May. Vehicle owners will have to move their cars during that time, or risk getting a fine and a tow.

“The reason we do the initial sweeping is to really pick up the heavy bulk from the winter, and that has a dramatic improvement on air quality,” said Danielson.

There will also be staff out filling potholes.

“Crews are currently using cold mix asphalt to patch potholes where it’s dry enough. This is a temporary fix this time of year,” she added. “By mid-April, hot mix asphalt will be available. That’s when crews will also start patching cuts in the road that are filled with gravel caused by underground utility repairs.”

Danielson asks anyone who sees a potentially vehicle-damaging pothole to report it to the city. They can do that by calling the customer care centre at 306-975-2476. They can also report a pothole online.

“We look forward to cleaning up Saskatoon and we think residents are too,” said Danielson.