In a startling case of déjà vu, the Whitemud Drive overpass at Anthony Henday Drive has been struck once again by an excavator transported by a tractor trailer, causing significant traffic chaos in east Edmonton.

The incident unfolded Thursday afternoon in Strathcona County, where the county issued a message via social media ahead of 4 p.m., advising commuters to brace for delays. "A vehicle loaded with an excavator has hit the Whitemud overpass on the Anthony Henday northbound. Emergency services are currently on the scene managing traffic," they reported.

According to the RCMP, the semi-truck carrying the excavator was heading north on Anthony Henday when it collided with the overpass. Fortunately, while the overpass itself remains unaffected, the right lane of the northbound Henday is blocked, leading to expected delays for drivers.

In a stroke of good luck, no injuries have been reported, but the extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.

This incident echoes a similar scenario from just over two years ago that brought the busy interchange to a standstill. In June 2023, a semi-truck hauling an excavator collided with the underside of the overpass, albeit on the on/off ramp, causing significant disruptions.

During that earlier crash, the excavator damaged several girders, dislodging concrete and exposing rebar, leading to extensive road closures and major traffic backups during peak hours.

The driver at the time, a 22-year-old man, faced multiple charges under the Traffic Safety Act and related regulations, including operating an over-dimensional vehicle improperly.

To add to the drama, repairs from the 2023 incident cost a staggering $2.3 million and took until this year to complete.

As commuters today deal with increasing traffic delays, the community is left wondering: will this déjà vu scenario happen again?

Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing situation!