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The City of Saskatoon is asking residents to avoid non-essential travel on Sunday after 24 centimeters of snow fell in the city since Saturday afternoon.
It was deja vu for city and private contractors who had just finished digging out from the the storm a few days earlier that dumped 17 centimeters.
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- Photos: Snow blankets Saskatchewan after weekend storm
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Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has cancelled cancelled all Monday classes because of the storm, including in Warman, Martensville, Humboldt and Biggar. Prairie Spirit School Division and Saskatoon Public School Division have also cancelled classes.
School is expected to resume as normal on Tuesday.
Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre also announced it would be closed on Monday.
City crews were working to make streets and sidewalks safe, with 36 graders, 15 sanders
11 plows and five sidewalk plows active on Sunday afternoon.
The city did not activate the its emergency response plan, which is launched if snow accumulation reaches 25 centimeters.
A small child plays in the snow in Saskatoon on Nov. 24, 2024. (Submitted)
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How has the storm affected your area? Have a great story to tell about the experience?
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Transit was operating in Saskatoon on Sunday, but the city said people could expect delays of up to 20 minutes or more.
Several routes were detoured to avoid the risk of a bus getting struck in deep snow, and operators may stop in the driving lane to pick up passengers.
Access Transit customers are encouraged to reschedule non-urgent trips today and Monday.
The city said delays are possible and are warning customers that in the event a paratransit bus gets stuck in deep snow, onboard customers will be required to wait.
Even flying is a challenge. At the Saskatoon airport, WestJet cancelled flights to Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Some WestJet and Air Canada were also delayed.
Snow covered roads in the Brighton neighbourhood of Saskatoon on Nov. 24, 2024. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)
When will my road be plowed?
Priority 1 roads like freeways, major arterials, and bridges will be plowed within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends. This includes Circle Dr and streets with three or more lanes each way like Idylwyld Dr, 22nd St and College Dr.
Priority 2 roads like arterials with double lanes and Saskatoon Transit routes will be graded within 36 hours after a snowstorm ends. This includes streets like Clarence Ave, McKercher Dr and Millar Ave.
Priority 3 roads like collector streets, remaining Business Improvement District streets and school zones will be completed within 72 hours after a snowstorm ends. These include streets like Louise Ave, Howell Ave and Main St.
The city provides an online map showing snow grading progress here.
An example of a cleared compliant sidewalk in Saskatoon. The city says there is clear evidence that there has been an attempt to clear a path with a snow blower, with a uniform width around 1.2m. While there is some packed snow, it is less than 3cm. (City of Saskatoon/submitted)
Keep your sidewalks clear
Saskatoon residents must clear sidewalks within 48 hours after a snowfall, and snow should not be shovelled into the street, but onto your property.
Non-residential properties are expected to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall. Sidewalks should have at least 1.2 metres of cleared width and have minimal snow pack (less than 3 cm), according the the City of Saskatoon.
Cleared sidewalks should be free of any loose snow or debris and must not present a hazard nor be a hindrance to pedestrian traffic regardless of their mobility.
The city will clear sidewalks next to city-owned facilities, pedestrian overpasses, bridge walkways and high-pedestrian downtown sidewalks with built-in trees and landscaping, asphalt park pathways with street lighting are cleared within 48 hours after a snowstorm ends.
Uncleared sidewalks can be reported online here or leave a voicemail at 306-657-8766. All sidewalk complaints are investigated, according to the city.
If necessary, a bylaw inspector will issue a notice requiring the resident to clear their sidewalk within 24 or 48 hours, depending on the type of property. If the sidewalks still are not cleared within the deadline, a third-party contractor will do so and the cost will charged to the property owner.
An example of a non-compliant cleared sidewalk in Saskatoon. The city said that while there is evidence there may have been an attempt to clear a path with a snow blower, the path is only approximately 0.8m in width, remains uneven and would cause significant difficulty for those with mobility challenges. (City of Saskatoon/submitted)
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