To plow or not to plow? Saskatoon residents split on residential road decision

The City of Saskatoon’s decision to not clear residential roads after this weekend’s snow storm is being met with mixed reviews.

“It’s pretty brutal,” said Craig Harkema, who told CKOM he lives “around Broadway”.

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“We also live on a street that’s like a one-way, so it’s not very long at all. There’s no reason for them to clear it, so it makes sense. It was a pain, though, to get out of my driveway.”

The city is supposed implement its Emergency Response Plan after 25 cm or more of snow falls, which means every road in the city would eventually get plowed. Exactly that number was recorded this past weekend.

“Based on our field assessment, the assessment from our crews, supervisors and field managers, mobility across the city is sufficient and acceptable for now,” said Goran Saric, director of roadways, fleet and support for City of Saskatoon on Monday.

It would cost between $18 and $20 million to plow all roads in the city.

“We are seeing improvement on the local streets as well because of the snow being packed down,” Saric said on Monday.

Travel on residential streets on was noticeable better on Tuesday compared to what it was 48 hours prior.

Leanne Helfrich, who lives not far from Broadway Avenue, was out walking her dog in the cold on Tuesday.

Helfrich said she was OK with the roads not being plowed, but would like to see the city be a little more prepared.

“It’s just normal for this time of the year with the first snowfall, but I think the city needs to increase its budget for snow removal to prepare for these (snow events). This is not unusual,” she said.

Helfrich suggested some people might be over-reacting a little to the city’s decision.

“I’ve been here for 55 years and I don’t remember it being this much of an issue,” she said.

Larry Woitowich lives in the Caswell Hill neighbourhood in Saskatoon and said he was “more than fine” with the city’s decision not to plow every road.

“I think our crescent right now is packed down enough where it’s passable, but a lot depends on the vehicle you’re driving, as well,” he said.

Although a lot of snow fell in the last week onto the streets of Saskatoon, Woitowich felt the added snow meant residents should be flexible.

“This isn’t our first winter. We’ve gone through this before, and we just have to adapt,” he said.

On Tuesday, the city had finished clearing Priority 1 routes, which includes Circle Dr and streets with three or more lanes each way like Idylwyld Dr, 22nd St and College Dr..

Clearing of Priority 2 roads — arterial roads with double lanes and Saskatoon Transit routes, including Clarence Ave, McKercher Dr and Millar Ave — was 87 per cent complete on Tuesday, while Priority 3 roads — collector streets, any remaining Business Improvement District streets and school zones including Louise Ave, Howell Ave and Main St. — were 50 per cent complete.

The city provides an online map showing snow grading progress here.

— with files from CKOM news

Read more:

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• ‘Waste of Saskatoon taxpayers’ money’: CTF criticizes $300,000 design firm bill