6 ways the City of Saskatoon plans to improve winter roads

The City of Saskatoon announced this morning its new and improved plan to keep streets clear of ice and snow this winter.

The city said the enhancements will create improved driving conditions in Saskatoon.Here are six ways the city plans to do this:

1. More frequent removal of snow piles from school zones. Also, more clearly defined and expanded removal zones around schools.

2. Pre-wetting: Salt brine, or another chemical, is sprayed on the sand before it's applied to Circle Drive and other high-traffic streets. The city said thatwillimprove traction. The wet sand sticks to the road better and ismore effective in extreme cold conditions.

3. Activating an 18-vehicle snow train which includesgraders, plows, trucks and a police escort to remove snow along the edges of Circle Drive, bridges and overpasses.

4.Anti-icing: A chemical is applied to the road before it snows. Itacts to prevent the ice from forming on the roadway surface and enables snow graders to be more effective and prevent ice from building up. The city said it will be used on sections of high-speed roadways and bridges. Its performance will be monitored.

5. The city said it will take a more efficient and cost-effective approach to snow grading during, and following, storms by expanding the private contractor maintenance areas to four area zones, rather than two.

6. The snow route is divided into two groups and can now be identified with a green circle or blue square.If a large amount of snow falls, a temporary parking ban along the snow route will be declared so that graders can make a driving path as quickly as possible.