Saskatoon considering options to curb trespassing under bridges after fire

All lanes have reopened on Saskatoon’s University Bridge after a small fire under the bridge on Sunday.

The City of Saskatoon had previously closed the westbound lanes of the bridge after a small fire under the archway on the Spadina Crescent side of the structure. The city said the fire was human-caused.

The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization is conducting an after-action review of the incident to consider and assess possible options for reducing further trespassing under bridges over the water in the city.

Read more:

• City plans to install security fence under University Bridge after fire
• New security measures haven’t stopped trespassing under University Bridge
• Firefighters respond to blaze at encampment under University Bridge

The fire did not cause any structural damage to the bridge, the city confirmed after an inspection.

While all four lanes on the bridge have now re-opened, a restriction remains in the westbound curb lane at the top of the bridge where a pump is connected to a sanitary sewer bypass line on the north walkway.

As a result of this, the north pedestrian walkway is closed, but the south pedestrian walkway remains open.

Drivers on the bridge are reminded to use both lanes and zipper merge around the restricted portion of the bridge or asked to re-route their commute.

Traffic is moving again along all four lanes on University Bridge in Saskatoon as of Monday afternoon. Crews work to repair the damaged sewer line on March 9, 2026. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

In a release from the city shared around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, the city said traffic restrictions are likely to remain for the rest of the week while repairs happen.

The city is working with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment while crews clean the frozen, spilled wastewater from the damaged sanitary sewer line.

Saskatoon Transit services are still affected as a result of the bridge repairs. Transit routes 4, 16, 43, 44, 45 and 46 are impacted and those taking transit routes that involve University Bridge while repairs are being completed are encouraged to leave extra time to reach their destinations.

The city advised people to expect delays during this time.

Fire under the bridge

A release from the Saskatoon Fire Department said firefighters saw smoke coming from underneath the bridge and located the fire on the west side around 3:40 p.m. on March 8.

Fire crews used a ground ladder and a hose to extinguish the fire, which melted a sanitary sewer line that was under the bridge. Damage at the scene is being assessed by a city engineer and the city’s water and sewer department.

Previously, two-way traffic was operating in the eastbound lanes of the bridge. The city asked drivers to avoid the area on Monday morning, if possible, or expect “major delays.”

There are no injuries as a result of the incident and a fire investigator was on scene to conduct an examination of the incident.

City crews worked overnight to repair the damage to the sewer line. That work, according to the city, is ongoing at this time.

Traffic cones are in place and a city vehicle is positioned on the bridge in the westbound lanes to help reroute traffic into the eastbound lanes heading into downtown Saskatoon.

Traffic around 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9, travelling westbound onto the University Bridge in Saskatoon. Traffic restrictions are set to remain for the rest of the week, while work is completed repairing a damaged sewer line under the bridge. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

The University Bridge has experienced several similar fires in recent years.

A mattress at an abandoned encampment under the bridge caught fire in June 2023. Security fencing was in place to prevent people from going into the bridge arches, but at the time, Saskatoon Fire Chief Morgan Hackl said it had been cut.

Another blaze in January 2025 caused a three-day closure of the bridge to all traffic. At the time, the city said it would install more security fencing.

According to the city, more information will be available “as the situation progresses.” In a release, the city asked drivers to follow detour signs and barricades to keep people safe.

Brendan Lemke, director of water and waste operations for the city said barbed wire was installed at the top of the security fencing as a deterrent, but explained it is still challenging to prevent people from accessing the area.

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way is certainly what we’re seeing,” he told reporters on Monday.

“We also have to be careful that we don’t restrict our own entry and exit in and out of that area for our own inspection purposes,” Lemke said, noting that firefighters would still need to access the area as well.

While the city has the option to consider more security options for the University Bridge, Lemke said it would need to be approved by city council first.

Historically, Lemke said there has been evidence of homeless activity under the bridge, but said the fire department’s investigation has yet to determine the circumstances of the fire.

— with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk