SASKATOON – Fall Street Sweeping began Monday in Saskatoon neighbourhoods that have a colourful collection of leaves to improve drainage once the snow melts next spring.
This is the second year Saskatoon is conducting the program after a successful pilot in 2013, according to the city.
“Sweeping leaves in core neighbourhoods that have dense tree canopies before it snows will improve drainage in the spring and make sweeping the streets easier,” said Pat Hyde, the City of Saskatoon’s director of public works.
Fall Street Sweeping is a 13-day program that also operates on weekends.
The 10 neighbourhoods scheduled for this year include: City Park, North Park, Holiday Park, King George, Riversdale, Caswell Hill, Nutana, Varsity View, Buena Vista and Westmount.
Yellow signs will be placed on streets a minimum of 36 hours in advance and vehicles need to be moved by 7 a.m. on sweeping day.
Motorists who don’t comply could receive a $100 ticket and have their vehicles moved to a nearby street. To locate each relocated vehicle check online with Find My Vehicle! or call 306-975-2476.
Hyde says the pilot program received very positive feedback and community members even started helping out with moving vehicles for work crews.
School zones are not included this year due to dangers present with operating large machinery around students.
Residents are reminded not to push leaves from the yard onto roads. Not only is it against a city bylaw but it also impedes crews.
According to the city, extra leaves make sweeping difficult and can double the time needed to sweep. Sweepers may have to skip roads if excessive leaves begin to delay the schedule.
For those looking to dispose of leaves, the city operates two free compost depots on McOrmond Drive and 11th Street West. Both are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Nov. 7.
Sweeping cannot occur at negative five degrees Celsius or with snow on the ground. The program will end if these conditions show up.
Fall Street Sweeping is currently scheduled to go until Nov. 1.
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