By paNOW Staff

Truck driver charged after overpass damage

Feb 6, 2018 | 9:00 AM

The driver who allegedly wedged an oversized truck under the Riverside Dr. Overpass in December is now facing charges.

The incident caused significant damage to a steel structural beam in the traffic bridge when the driver allegedly attempted to pass underneath in an over-sized semi Dec. 6. According to Wes Hicks, the city’s manager of capital projects, the cost of the significant repairs to the overpass will likely be paid by the driver’s insurance.

A Prince Albert Police spokesperson said the driver is now facing two charges.

Benjamin Bergen of Edmonton, Alta., was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle under the Traffic Safety Act because he did not have a Saskatchewan permit, police said, and was also charged with failing to obtain a Saskatchewan permit for an over-dimension load under the Highways and Transportation Act.

The charges are not criminal, the police spokesperson said, and are punishable by fines.

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At a Jan. 22 city council meeting, Mayor Greg Dionne asked administration to examine the costs of installing crash bars on the overpass, or digging out the road beneath the overpass to create more clearance. Dionne said the Department of Highways has already committed to fund the crash bars, but noted he wants to explore all options before moving forward. If it is not feasible to dig out the road, the mayor said the city will approve the crash bars and forward the request to the Department of Highways.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @PrinceAlbertNOW