Second Overpass Incident in Saskatoon
Days after a semi truck struck the Highway 11 overpass in Saskatoon, city inspectors responded to another incident on Wednesday afternoon involving an over-height load. This latest incident occurred around 5 p.m. at the 108th Street overpass.
The City of Saskatoon reported that city staff and structural engineers promptly assessed the situation following the collision. Their evaluation confirmed that the overpass remains safe for public use.
According to 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff, a flatbed semi truck carrying an orange front loader was parked several hundred feet from the overpass in the northbound lanes of Circle Drive. Debris, including rocks and cement, was observed scattered on the roadway beneath the overpass.
Traffic on Circle Drive northbound was limited to a single lane near College Drive. Saskatoon police closed the 108th Street overpass in both directions to all vehicular traffic, ensuring safety for motorists.
The City also stated that the northbound curb lane on Circle Drive will remain shut while debris from the incident is cleared away.
Saskatoon Police restricted vehicle access on the 108th Street overpass after a truck carrying heavy machinery collided with it on Wednesday afternoon.
Responding to posts on “X,” the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce stated that they support amendments to Bylaw No. 7200, The Traffic Bylaw, aiming for tougher penalties and higher fines to protect Saskatoon’s residents, drivers, and transportation infrastructure. They observed that there have been over two dozen bridge impacts and emergency inspections in the last five years from unauthorized, oversized vehicles.
City of Saskatoon’s director of technical services, Dan Willems, expressed irritation regarding the driver involved in the previous incident on March 4. “Signage apparently didn’t help this blockhead realize he was going to cause significant damage and he didn’t have a permit,” he remarked during a press conference at City Hall on March 6.
As of now, there is no update on when both lanes on Circle Drive at 108th Street will be reopened to traffic.
