SASKATOON — Driving conditions on Circle Drive are expected to improve as city crews continue plowing and de-icing the 26.8-kilometre main freeway. Circle Drive still has some icy spots on Thursday, making driving conditions difficult.
Road condition is expected to improve further on Friday with salting and sanding in progress. Better weather conditions will also help as temperatures are expected to see a high of -4 degrees Celsius to a low of -12 on Friday, compared to the freezing rain and snow the city experienced the last two days.
Freezing rain on Monday and 10 to 15 centimetres of snow dumped by the winter storm the following day left a thick layer of ice on Circle Drive and Saskatoon’s other roads. Strong winds, reaching gusts of 100 kilometres per hour, caused heavy drifts that made de-icing on Circle Drive more difficult compared to other typical snowstorms in the past.
Circle Drive was already being plowed during the snowstorm and gradually after. A mixture of sand and salt was also being applied at the same time for traction. Snow must first be removed once it stopped falling since straightly salting the top of hard packed snow won’t reach the ice to soften it.
Applying salt to break the ice that stuck on Circle Drive, including on and off ramps, will be the crews’ main focus with 20 sanding and salting trucks going around the city. Liquid de-icer is sprayed on the potash salt while it’s being applied so that it may stick further on the roadway. The salt will then melt the ice while also drying the road where there is little or no packed snow.
The city also has crews in managing the sidewalks and pathways that were plowed within 48 hours, as stated in the Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw. The co-operation of the public, road and sidewalk users, in being cautious and watching out for city’s crews working is greatly appreciated.
In other news, Highway 16 eastbound over Highway 11 will be closed for seven days — weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances — beginning on Monday next week for safety repairs to the bridge.
Motorists can expect delays in the area due to the construction and are advised to take alternate routes or plan their trips to avoid any inconvenience. The centre and median westbound lanes will accommodate the eastbound traffic.
Saskatoon Transit service may also be affected by detours that will be put in place. Commuters are advised to monitor information on third-party apps like Google Maps.
