Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City

City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall.

Environment and Climate Change Canada said a low-pressure system over northern Montana spread a large area of accumulating snow across most of southern Saskatchewan well into Sunday.

In western Saskatchewan, this accumulating snow tapered off Sunday morning. For east-central areas of the province, the heavy snow lingered into Sunday evening.

About 25 centimetres fell on the city by Sunday afternoon, according to the City of Saskatoon's snow and ice report.

Generally, that level of snowfall serves to trigger city-wide snow clearing that includes residential streets.

In a news release on Monday afternoon, the city clarified it would not be activating the roadways emergency response plan.

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"The snowfall amount is right at the threshold. Mobility and ability to navigate streets is another key consideration. The snow that fell was light powder snow that when compacted by traffic will see improved mobility over time," the city said in the news release.

The full five phases of the emergency response plan come with a price tag of approximately $18 to $20 million, "which is a substantial expenditure," the city said.

"Instead, the city is addressing specific problem areas and evaluating local streets for mobility and safety."

The city says transit riders can expect delays and service interruptions as the crews continue clearing roads over the next several days.

As of Monday morning, the city said 91 per cent of its top-priority streets were graded, with 20 per cent of second-tier streets and five per cent of third-priority streets cleared. Another update on the snow-clearing process is expected around 3 p.m.

Curbside garbage, recycling and compost will continue as planned for the rest of the week, the city says. Collections that were suspended Monday have been rescheduled for November 30.

The city says crews will be driving down back lanes on certain routes in advance of the collection trucks in order to pack down some of the snow.

"Proper cart placement will be key to successful collections. Residents are asked to roll out carts by 7 a.m. and place them in front of, or four feet to the side of, snowbanks to ensure collection truck arms can access carts."

The City of Saskatoon is asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel and allow extra time for their commutes. Classes are canceled at both Catholic and public schools.

Residents working in the north end are advised that Millar Avenue was reopened Monday following a very messy water main break on Friday, but will close again on Tuesday while city crews work to repair the damaged water main.