VIDEO: 51st Street overpass becomes fifth hit in Saskatoon this year

After a few months without an incident, Saskatoon’s number of days without an overpass hit is back down to zero.

In the early afternoon on Friday, the 51st Street overpass was hit by a grain bin being transported southbound.

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The strike marks the sixth overpass collision in Saskatchewan this year, and the fifth in Saskatoon. All of those collisions occurred in March.

Photos show Saskatoon Police Service officers responded to the scene. In a release on Friday afternoon, police said the collision involved the driver of a semi towing a trailer and a grain bin southbound on Idylwyld Drive “failed to heed the height restrictions of the 51st St overpass.

(Evan Dunlop/Facebook)

“The bin struck the overpass, was dislodged from the trailer, and is currently wedged, blocking the merge lane from westbound 51st St.”

Police said the through lanes of Idylwyld Dr. are not directly impacted by the grain bin, but the extraction and re-loading of the bin is expected to “severely hamper traffic.”

Damage to the 51st Street overpass at Idylwyld Drive caused by a semi towing a grain bin on July 24, 2026. The crumpled grain bin can be seen under the bridge. (City of Saskatoon/650 CKOM)

Drivers are being asked to find alternative routes. According to the city, Idylwyld Dr. at the 51st Street overpass has been reduced to one lane after the collision, which happened around 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

“City of Saskatoon engineering staff went immediately to the scene following the collision to assess the structure. Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available,” the city said in a release.

Damage to the 51st Street overpass at Idylwyld Drive caused by a semi towing a grain bin on July 24, 2026. (City of Saskatoon/650 CKOM)

The city said the single-lane restriction is expected to remain in place while debris is removed and the structural inspection is being completed.

“Drivers are asked to follow all posted signs and detours,” the city said, adding that it will monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.

(Evan Dunlop/Facebook)

The City of Saskatoon said its engineers were “aware and on the way to inspect the overpass” in an email just after 1:50 p.m. on Friday.

The city said a release with more information will be shared later. “We are gathering a few more details,” the city said in the email.

A grain bin became lodged under the 51st Street overpass on Idylwyld, when a semi-truck towing a trailer “failed to heed the height restrictions”, according to Saskatoon Police. The bin blocked the merge lane from westbound 51st St. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

The first overpass collision on March 5th involved a semi-trailer hauling an excavator travelling in the northbound lanes of Highway 11 when it struck the Circle Drive overpass. The highway patrol laid six charges in the incident.

On March 11, a second incident was reported at Circle Drive at 108th Street. Saskatchewan Highway Patrol assisted with the initial investigation and Saskatoon police laid six charges.

In addition to the overpass strikes on March 5 and March 11, two other overpasses in the city were damaged in collisions on March 22.

The CPKC rail overpass near 108th Street was hit first. The driver did not stop but was found by Saskatchewan RCMP in Martensville. The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol examined the vehicle on March 23 and eight charges were laid, according to Saskatoon police.

Directions, provided by the Saskatoon Police Service, for traffic rerouting around the impacted 51st St. overpass on Friday afternoon. (Saskatoon Police Service/Submitted)

The second incident saw a driver collide with an overpass over McKercher Drive. Police described that incident as a hit and run.

The City of Saskatoon has laid charges in connection with the crash at the 108th Street overpass in March, while still trying to recover costs from the separate collision that damaged the Circle Drive and Highway 11 overpass earlier in the month.

(Submitted)

According to city solicitor Cindy Yelland, KeyLee Contracting Ltd. in Martensville and a driver are facing charges related to damaging city infrastructure under sections 30.1 and 59 of Saskatoon’s traffic bylaw.

Regarding the March 5 collision, the city has made a claim for $238,389.53 against Regina-based Bowline Logistics involving the overpass strike. Yelland said that claim reflected the full cost of the damage and the previous estimate of $400,000 was made before repairs were completed.

More to come.