One day after wild winds wreaked havoc on highways and city streets, drivers were still being urged to exercise caution on Saskatchewan highways early Friday.

Winter driving conditions were reported on all major highways across the province, and the Highways Hotline was not recommending travel on highways in the Saskatoon area due to reduced visibility, icy and slippery sections and drifting snow. The advisory includes Highway 11 south of Saskatoon, Highway 7 from Delisle to the Alberta border, Highway 16 both east and west of the city and Highway 5 east between Saskatoon and Humboldt.

In addition, a number of highways in the west central Saskatchewan region were closed to traffic early Friday as well as several in the Moose Jaw area.

The wind-driven snow caused problems on Saskatoon streets late Wednesday and Thursday, with heavy drifts forming on many roads located adjacent to open areas.

Transit service was also affected by the snow, with several routes having to be altered on Thursday due to impassable streets.

Saskatoon Transit reported Friday morning that service has been restored to almost all of the routes affected by Thursday’s blowing snow. The exceptions are Route 5 and Route 1 on Cumberland Avenue between College Drive and 14th Street. Southbound buses will detour via College Drive, Preston Avenue and 14th Street with northbound buses operating in the opposite direction. The same detour will in place for additional afternoon buses for the University of Saskatchewan.

The Prairie Spirit School Division reported that buses were not running Friday to schools at Vanscoy, Aberdeen, Delisle, Asquith, Langham, Perdue, Hepburn, Pike Lake, Laird, Waldheim, Clavet, Hanley, and Borden.

First Bus Canada in Saskatoon said all of its buses were running on schedule.

The City of Saskatoon reported that contractors assisted city plows and graders on Thursday to clear snow-plugged roads in outlying areas, on streets adjacent to parks and along sections of Circle Drive. Cleanup work will continue on Friday.

The snow and wind also caused some problems with garbage and recycling collection on Thursday with snow accumulation on front streets and back lanes causing delays. Residents are asked to leave garbage and recycling carts out until collection can be completed.

For the latest advisories from the Highway Hotline check out the column on the right of the page

Map courtesy of Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure