Saskatchewan sees nearly 5 times more highway closures this year than 2021

The Saskatchewan government has temporarily closed more than 1,900 highways so far this winter because road conditions weren't safe.

Poor winter weather has forced the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways to close nearly five times as many highways this winter than during the winter prior.

Statistics, provided by the ministry, show it closed 854 highways throughout the entire winter of 2020-21.

So far it’s closed more than 1,900 highways this year because of bad conditions.

In an interview, ministry spokesperson Steve Shaheen told Global News the 300-strong fleet of vehicles are working to keep highways clear, but there is only so much sand and salt will do — especially during strong winds.

“When there’s strong winds it creates ground drifting, those are the most challenging aspects for crews,” he said.

“Snow will actually stick to the road and crust, which can form more ice and heavy ruts and make challenging conditions even worse,” he said, telling Global News even snow removal crews are affected by unpredictable weather.

And the erratic weather has made life more difficult for Joe Harms, a Dalmeny resident who commutes to work in Martensville.

Martensville is 10 km north of Saskatoon and Dalmeny is another 20 km further.