‘Skating rink of horrors’: Saskatoon drivers vent about icy roads

Travel conditions have improved around Saskatchewan after the winter storm that brought heavy snow, strong winds and freezing rain to much of the province this week.

However, some drivers in Saskatoon would argue their city is the exception.

“Idylwyld by Marquis Drive is a skating rink of horrors,” one driver described to 650 CKOM on Thursday.

“Circle Drive is deadly icy. I was shocked that it was not done,” said another person.

The Saskatoon Police Service said it has responded to 55 collisions since 8 a.m. on Tuesday, with the majority related to the snow and icy roads.

The conditions were even challenging for those who drive for a living.

Garbage truck operator Josh Roy spends most of his day driving in and around the city  For Roy, the conditions on Circle Drive were unacceptable.

“Just today there was a semi driver stuck on Circle Drive. I saw a truck lose control and spin around. It’s definitely a factor,” said Roy.

“The highways are nicely sanded and dry. That tells you they took care of the highways, but when you go into Saskatoon, it’s just ice.”

The City of Saskatoon explained the reason for the icy conditions was the rainfall that hit the city before the snowstorm.

According to the city, as the temperatures dropped, the moisture created a layer of ice under the snow.

“Crews have been working 24 hours a day getting the snow off Circle Drive since the snowstorm to improve conditions,” said Tracy Danielson, roadways manager for the city.

“(Wednesday) night there were 20 sanders applying de-icing materials across the city and there were multiple passes made on Circle Drive.”

The explanation wasn’t good enough for resident Steve Elmes, who called the conditions “dangerous.”

“Why can you go outside the city and it’s dry and clear?” he wondered. “It isn’t because Saskatoon is in a bubble, it’s because the city falls down.”

The city said drivers can expect road conditions to improve through the day.