PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert is reporting a sharp increase in snow-related service requests after a week of warm temperatures softened road surfaces and created ruts in high-traffic areas, with crews now working to address hardened conditions as colder weather returns.
City officials said the past week brought numerous requests from residents concerned about road safety and winter driving conditions, particularly in neighbourhood entrances and other busy locations where traffic volume and the use of road salt contributed to rutting.
“As expected, these conditions softened snow on roads, especially at neighbourhood entrances and busy spots, where traffic volume and the use of salt led to ruts,” the city said in a public update.
With temperatures dropping again, the city said the previously softened snow has now frozen and hardened, making some road sections more difficult to navigate. The thaw-freeze pattern is common during prairie winters, but it can rapidly change road conditions, creating uneven surfaces that affect vehicle traction, steering control and overall driving comfort.
In response, Prince Albert’s snow operations crews are focusing their efforts on areas where rough surfaces and ruts have been identified through inspections and resident reports.
“Snow operations crews are actively targeting locations where ruts and rough surfaces have been identified through inspections and resident reports,” the city said.
The city noted that higher-than-normal request volumes are continuing into the new week. Crews are prioritizing known trouble spots while also reviewing incoming reports to determine where additional work is needed.
“As next week begins, crews will continue focusing on known trouble spots and any additional areas where ruts or poor road conditions are a concern,” the city said. “While service request volumes remain higher than normal, crews are actively processing, reviewing, and addressing concerns as they move through their workload.”
The city did not provide a specific timeline for completion, but emphasized that crews are working through their workload as conditions evolve. The update comes as many municipalities across Saskatchewan face similar winter maintenance pressures when temperatures fluctuate, increasing the need for rapid adjustments to snow and ice control operations.
Prince Albert officials are also urging residents to use the city’s online service request portal to report snow-related issues, saying it is the most efficient way to ensure concerns are logged and directed to the appropriate crews.
“Residents are strongly encouraged to report ruts, sightline issues, and other snow-related street concerns through the City’s online service request portal,” the city said. “Submitting a report creates a direct service request for snow operations and is the most effective way to ensure concerns are addressed.”
Residents can submit concerns at the city’s service request portal and are advised to use the keyword “Snow – Street Concern” when filing a report. The city said this helps ensure requests are categorized properly and routed directly to snow operations teams.
Municipal service portals have increasingly become a key tool for cities managing winter operations, allowing staff to track problem areas, identify recurring issues and prioritize responses based on the volume and type of requests received. For residents, it provides a documented way to report hazards such as deep ruts, reduced visibility at intersections and snow-related obstructions that can affect safety for drivers, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
The city’s update also included a reminder for motorists to adjust their driving to match conditions, especially in areas where ruts have hardened and road surfaces are uneven.
“The City appreciates residents’ patience and understanding as crews continue to work through changing winter conditions,” the city said. “Motorists are reminded to slow down, allow extra travel time, and drive according to road conditions.”
Prince Albert’s snow operations typically intensify during periods of rapid weather change, when daytime melting and overnight freezing can turn manageable snow into compacted, hardened surfaces. Those conditions can persist until crews are able to break down ruts and smooth roadways, or until weather shifts again.
For now, the city is continuing to rely on both inspections and resident reporting to guide snow response efforts, as it works to address the impacts of the recent thaw-freeze cycle and restore safer driving conditions across affected areas.
