Saskatoon graders begin tackling heavily rutted streets

Getting around Saskatoon is anything but smooth.

Several days of mild temperatures finally took their toll as deep ruts formed on residential streets resulting in vehicles getting stuck in the slush.

On Thursday evening, the city deployed its graders and private contractors to begin work on shaving down ruts which had turned into jagged icy canyons overnight as the temperature fell to -19 C.

“To open up these streets quickly for residents, we need to move fast,” said Terry Schmidt, general manager of construction and transportation for the city. “Colder temperatures … will make grading harder for us.”

As of Friday morning, crews had completed rut shaving in Aspen Ridge, Briarwood, Eastview, North Park and Nutana.

Work continues in the following neighbourhoods:

• Evergreen
• Kelsey-Woodlawn
• Kensington
• Lakewood
• Richmond Heights
• River Heights
• Stonebridge

The city says priority will be given to streets where the ruts are at least 15 centimetres deep and where smaller vehicles are at risk of damage.

The city said crews will work around the clock to clear the most severely rutted streets within two weeks.

Drivers are encouraged to move their vehicles off the street to allow crews to work faster. No Parking signs will also be placed on streets too narrow for equipment to pass.

Snow ruts on a Saskatoon street (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)