Home / Disasters and Accidents / Saskatoon Overpass Collisions Mount: Third Strike This Month!
Saskatoon Overpass Collisions Mount: Third Strike This Month!
24 Mar
Summary
- Three overpasses in Saskatoon were struck this month.
- Two previous collisions caused an estimated $750,000 in damages.
- City plans education campaign with trucking associations.
Saskatoon police have identified the driver involved in the third vehicle overpass collision this month above Circle Drive on Sunday. Two prior incidents on March 5 and March 11 resulted in an estimated $750,000 in damages, with engineers inspecting the most recent damage. The city is collaborating with the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol on the ongoing investigation.
The overpass, with a five-meter clearance, is jointly managed by the city and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). CPKC engineers inspected the structure on Monday and confirmed rail operations were normal. City hall emphasized that drivers are responsible for knowing load heights and vehicle conditions. Due to potential liabilities, the city has not adopted early warning systems like those in British Columbia.
Provincial highways personnel will inspect all overhead structures across the provincial highway system. The Ministry of Highways is also reviewing fines related to such incidents. The city plans to partner with SGI and the Saskatchewan Trucking Association for an over-height hauling education campaign. Repairs to another overpass, struck by a semi-truck, are expected to take three more weeks and cost $400,000. A third collision on March 11 at the 108th Street overpass caused approximately $350,000 in damage, with repairs still being assessed.
