12 of 13 recommendations have been completed at the Highways 35/335 intersection. Only the relocation of powerlines remain.(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Trees Removed

Trees removed from Bronco crash intersection, work almost complete at site

Mar 18, 2021 | 12:15 PM

Work is nearing completion at the intersection of Highways 335 and 35, otherwise known as the Armley Corner.

It’s also the intersection where the Humboldt Broncos bus crash took place on April 6, 2018.

Recently, some large trees on the southeast quadrant of the intersection were removed. Deputy Minister of Highways Fred Antunes said they were unable to come to an agreement with the land owner regarding the trees.

“We ended up expropriating the property and then going in and removing the trees and the shelter belt,” Antunes told northeastNOW. “But he’s got some fruit trees there, and we’ve given them the opportunity to move those fruit trees early this spring.”

(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

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Antunes said they will give the owner time to make sure they can get into the ground and the trees will take elsewhere.

There has also been a bit of attention drawn to the removal of the trees on social media. A gofundme was even created to help the land owner “rebuild” their farm. Antunes said he understands everyone is entitled to an opinion but they received recommendations on the intersection, and removing those trees was one of them.

(Screengrab/Facebook)

The gofundme has raised over $1,600 since it was created on March 8.

There were a total of 13 recommendations given for the intersection, and the final one will be the relocation of a few overhead power lines at the intersection. Antunes said they are in conversation with SaskPower to make sure that gets done at some point this summer.

Other work at the intersection included adding rumble strips, improving signage, adjusting a spot for a possible memorial, and moving some of the side roads entering other properties. Antunes said most of those were done in the first construction season after the recommendations were given.

Antunes said he hopes people understand what took place at the intersection when they drive through.

“I hope that they remember the number of people that lost their lives there and were tragically injured there, will be scarred for a long time,” he said. “And it took a little while, but we did address the safety concerns.”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6