City report concludes no action will be taken to warn drivers about flooding during rain storms
A report written and reviewed by Saskatoon Water and the Transportation Department for the city found that no further actions will be made for creating a warning system for drivers when flooding on roads, caused by heavy rain storms.
According to the report, on June 20, 2022, the city saw upwards of 75 millimeters of rain in some areas of the city within one hour. The heavy rain caused many cars to become stuck in underpasses and classes were even canceled at Chief Whitecap School, leaving parents to pick up their children in knee-deep water.
“We wanted to make sure our infrastructure was functioning as efficiently as possible, if not, to make a plan to fix those efficiencies,” said stormwater utility manager Mitch McMann.
In response to the rain storm, inspections were completed on over 10 kilometers of the storm sewer infrastructure system. It found pipes had anywhere from five to 50 per cent of debris inside.
“Debris from the streets gets into those curb and gutters will sometimes become lodged or within those pipes so it’s a known issue,” McMann said.
Some of the research options listed in the report were based on a city council request from June 27, 2022. They include considering three different system options for drivers to be aware in certain areas, including stand alone detection, a traffic camera and an integrated system.
To install these systems at the intersection of Circle Drive under Taylor Street East would cost anywhere from $9,000 for the traffic camera alone, to $43,000 for the stand alone detection and warning system.
In reference to the transportation signaling review, the report concluded no further action will be taken.
“An optional budget request could be provided for consideration during the 2024-2025 multi-year budget process for the installation of integrated warning and detection systems at 10 locations,” the report concluded.
During the flooding, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) attended five locations to help drivers out of their stalled vehicles.
SFD also attended three calls for downed power lines and three property flooding concerns.
“Saskatoon EMO always encourages motorists to be prepared for extreme weather and drive to the current conditions based on their own safety and risk assessment,” acting fire chief Anthony Tataryn told CTV News by email.
Correction
This story previous stated the report called on the City to create a warning system for flooding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.