Trucking company linked to costly Saskatoon overpass hit headed to trial

The Regina-based trucking company linked to a costly overpass strike in Saskatoon is heading to trial.

At Saskatoon Bylaw Court on Wednesday, Bowline Logistics pleaded not guilty in response to a charge for damaging city infrastructure under section 30.1 of The Traffic Bylaw.

The charge is related to a crash on March 5, when a semi hauling a large excavator on a flatbed on Highway 11 collided with an overpass on Circle Drive at the intersection with Highway 16.

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A trial date was set for Sept. 17, 2026 at Saskatoon Bylaw Court.

According to the City of Saskatoon, corporations found in violation of a traffic bylaw can face a fine of up to $25,000.

“To maintain its legal position, the City will decline to speak publicly on this matter until the Court proceedings are concluded,” the city said in a statement.

In June, the driver in the case pleaded guilty to damaging city infrastructure and was handed a fine of $8,000, along with a victim surcharge of $3,200.

“The City has subsequently submitted a claim to Bowline’s and the driver’s insurer and is awaiting a reply to recover the overpass repair costs,” the city said in an earlier statement.

City engineers estimated damage to the Highway 16 overpass at $400,000.

Cindy Yelland, city solicitor, said in a previous interview with CKOM that she hoped the significant fine given to the driver will serve as a deterrent to other drivers and trucking companies.

“These are preventable incidents, and it is the responsibility of drivers and their trucking companies to responsibly transport any goods they are carrying,” she said.

The crash was the first of four overpass collisions in Saskatchewan involving heavy equipment in the month of March.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff