Updated 5:30 a.m. July 28/26
After a fifth overpass strike in Saskatoon the Saskatoon Police Service says it issued a ticket for Driving without Due Care and Attention.
On Friday afternoon a semi-truck towing a trailer and a grain bin southbound on Idylwyld Drive hit the 51st Street overpass. It knocked the grain bin off the trailer, and it became wedged under the overpass. Traffic restrictions were in place for about 8-hours while the situation was dealt with.
Three additional tickets were issued by the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, failing to complete a pre-trip inspection, over height, and failing to clear a structure.
The other four overpass strikes all took place in March.
The City Solicitor’s Office says it is working with Saskatoon Police and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol and the information gleaned will determine if any charges will be laid under The Traffic Bylaw. The City also does intend to pursue damages for the overpass strike on 51st Street.
The Highway 11 and Highway 16 overpass cost less than originally estimated to fix. The initial amount was pegged at $400,000 but the actual cost was $238,389.53. Two charges were laid – one against the driver and one against the trucking company, Bowline Logistics, for damage to City infrastructure. The driver pleaded guilty and was fined $11,200. The trucking company pleaded not guilty and it goes to trial September 17th. The City Solicitor also says Bowline Logistics had reimbursed the cost of repairing the overpass.
Charges again have been laid against the driver and the trucking company, Kaylee Contracting Limited, in relation to the 108th Street overpass. The City says these matters are scheduled for plea on August 19, 2026 in the City’s bylaw court. This overpass has not yet been repaired as the repairs are not scheduled to begin until after repairs to the University Bridge are completed. Once costs are determined the City of Saskatoon will pursue damages for the overpass strike.
Repairs haven’t been designed for the McKercher Driver overpass struck so there is no estimate of cost and the work will not take place in 2026. The Saskatoon Police Service hasn’t been able to determine who is responsible for that incident. The fourth overpass to be damaged by an over height load was the CPKC rail overpass near 108th Street and Circle Drive. That is not a City overpass consequently no charges were laid by the City of Saskatoon which is also not responsible for damage costs.
