Traffic congestion in Saskatoon is leading to frustration for emergency responders.

Construction detours and the recent closure of the Victoria Bridge, also known as the Traffic Bridge, are challenging all motorists in the city.

On a typical day in Saskatoon there can be dozens of emergency calls to police, fire or ambulance.

"It's frustrating," Troy Davies, a spokesman for MD Ambulance in Saskatoon, told CBC News Tuesday. "You know we're in a pretty stressful job and you want to get there as quick as possible."

'It's been slower, but we still motor on'—Don Gabruch, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services

Davies says ambulance crews receive briefings every 12 hours on traffic conditions and road closures, to ensure EMS can get to an urgent call within a goal of nine minutes.

"We've had a couple delays," Davies added. "But nothing that's been life-threatening."

Davies said crews have not run into any problems.

"We've done our due diligence and worked with the city to find alternate routes," he said.

Police say they are able to get where they need to go, when the call is urgent.

"Any emergency calls, with lights and sirens, we're using the quickest routes," Staff Sgt. Lyle Schmidt said Wednesday.

He said some non-emergency calls have been affected.

"On routine calls, which are not emerencies, [traffic congestion] may be affecting a little bit just based on traffic and time of day," Schmidt said. "But we work around traffic closures all the time and our members are made aware of road closures and traffic. And we adjust our route accordingly."

Bridge crossings a challenge

Saskatoon is especially dependent on bridges to move traffic from one part of the city to another.

That has become more challenging following the closure of the Traffic Bridge and ongoing construction on the Sid Buckwold Bridge, which is part of the Idylwyld Freeway.

City officials said Wednesday that work on the Sid Buckwold Bridge is expected to last until the end of October.

When a 911 call is made for the fire department, the route can be a critical element.

Fire trucks have limited options for alternate routes, because of their size. As well, fire crews aim to be at a call in four minutes or less.

"We've noticed longer lineups, obviously, with a couple of bridges affected," Don Gabruch, an acting battalion chief for Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services, told CBC News.

He said other drivers are respecting the lights and sirens.

"It's been slower," Gabruch said. "But we still motor on."