Photo credit: Jacob Harmer/Facebook
Three incidents but four structures now involved in over-height loads damaging infrastructure in Saskatoon.
In the last incident when the CPKC rail overpass was hit near 108th Street and Circle Drive it also appears the McKercher Drive overpass may have been struck. The Saskatoon Police Service says city engineers inspected the overpass and confirmed it also sustained damage.
The driver left the scene but was later located by RCMP in Martensville. Not only was the load over-height but tickets were issued for Exceed regulated gross vehicle weight; Exceed tridem axle weight; and Exceed tandem axle weight.
That was the incident on March 22nd but the first event took place on March 5th, when it was reported that a semi-trailer hauling an excavator was travelling in the northbound lanes of Highway 11 when it struck the Circle Drive overpass.
The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol laid six charges, including damage to public improvement, driving with undo care and attention, and operating with a major defect. The City of Saskatoon estimates that will cost $400,000 to repair.
Then, on March 11, a second incident was reported, this time it was the overpass on Circle Drive at 108th Street. Saskatchewan Highway Patrol laid another six charges including failure to comply with conditions of a permit and driving without due care and attention. The estimated cost to fix the 108th Street overpass is $350,000.
Police will forward the investigative files, once concluded, to the City of Saskatoon Solicitor’s Office to consider available legal avenues.
The following is a summary of each incident.
- On March 5, 2026, it was reported that a semi-trailer hauling an excavator was travelling in the northbound lanes of Highway 11 when it struck the Circle Drive overpass. While members of the SPS Traffic Unit continue to investigate, the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol laid the following charges:
- Damage to public improvement;
- Driving with undo care and attention;
- Operating with a major defect;
- Brakes out of adjustment;
- Exceeding maximum height restrictions; and
- Failure to comply with conditions of a permit.
- On March 11, 2026, a second incident was reported, this time on Circle Drive at 108th Street. Saskatchewan Highway Patrol again attended to assist with the initial investigation. Members of the SPS Traffic Unit laid the following charges:
- Fail to comply with conditions of a permit;
- Fail to complete daily inspection;
- Exceed maximum dimension in a permit;
- Exceed maximum height;
- Exceed maximum width; and
- Driving without due care and attention.
- On March 22, 2026, a third incident was reported at the CPKC rail overpass (near 108th Street) and Circle Drive. The City of Saskatoon received information via an online reporting portal that the McKercher Drive overpass may have also been struck; City Engineers attended and confirmed it had also sustained damage. The driver left the scene but was later located by the RCMP in Martensville. The SHP inspected the vehicle on March 23, 2026, and issued the following charges:
- Exceed regulated gross vehicle weight;
- Damage to public improvement;
- Exceed tridem axle weight;
- Exceed tandem axle weight;
- Exceed maximum gross weight;
- Exceed maximum dimension in a permit;
- Fail to complete daily inspection; and
- Fail to comply with conditions of a permit.
Operators are reminded of the requirement to follow all height, weight, and transport regulations and restrictions, and inspect their loads before driving to protect roadway infrastructure and ensure the safety of all road-users.
