SASKATOON — Three incidents in the City of Saskatoon in which damage to overpasses occurred as a result of heavy equipment being hauled continue to be investigated.
In each incident, the SPS Traffic Unit has carriage of the overall investigation. The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) has assisted as they have the training, equipment, and practical expertise and experience to inspect the fitness of commercial vehicles and their loads.
Charges were laid as summary traffic offence tickets.
On March 5, 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 charged the driver with 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, 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 charged the person with 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, 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, and the driver was charged with 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.
Due to city-owned infrastructure being impacted, the SPS will forward the investigative files, once concluded, to the City of Saskatoon Solicitor’s Office to consider available legal avenues.
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.
Additional information on tickets and charges related to these incidents will be released when available, say police.
