Lincoln, ON – (July 8, 2024) – On July 3, 2024, the Town of Lincoln partnered with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for another collaborative enforcement initiative targeting commercial motor vehicle safety. This initiative aimed to stop commercial vehicles deliberately bypassing the Vineland MTO Inspection Station.
Continuing our ongoing initiatives, this year’s series of blitzes with the MTO aims to further decrease local truck traffic volumes and emphasize road safety.
During these blitzes, officials diligently identify and inspect commercial vehicles that intentionally bypass the Vineland Inspection Station on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). These inspections ensure all vehicles meet Ontario’s mandated road safety standards.
These safety blitzes align with Council's objective of redirecting commercial vehicle traffic away from the Town's downtown areas, and onto regional and municipal roads better suited for larger trucks. This redirection ensures the smooth flow of goods to support local businesses and the overall economy.
"These ongoing safety blitzes are a vital component in our efforts to reduce unnecessary truck traffic in our community," said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. "We are very pleased with the increased frequency and the strong collaboration with our partner agencies to ensure road safety and the smooth movement of goods.”
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 23 inspections were completed
- 5 vehicles were deemed to be out of service
- 5 charges were laid
"Our collaborative approach with the MTO has been instrumental in addressing traffic safety issues effectively," said Tony Brunet, Ward 2 Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Community Services and Infrastructure Committee. "By increasing the frequency of these blitzes, we reinforce our unwavering commitment to road safety in Lincoln. The outcomes of these initiatives highlight the significant progress we are making."
"The ongoing dedication of the MTO and our partner agencies is essential to our commitment to traffic safety within our community," said the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer Michael Kirkopoulos. "These continued collaborative efforts are crucial for maintaining safe roadways for all residents and visitors in Lincoln."
For more information on truck safety in Lincoln and previous safety blitzes, visit Speak Up Lincoln.
The Town continues to implement traffic safety initiatives throughout the community, including community safety zones, pedestrian crossovers, speedbumps, and digital speed feedback signs. Visit Lincoln.ca for more details.
Background
Truck Traffic in Lincoln and History of Safety Blitzes
In April 2019, Lincoln Council approved a resolution regarding truck safety in Lincoln, which addressed community concerns related to truck traffic and identified several action items to address the concerns. In the short term, the Beamsville Alternate Truck Route Initiative is planned to redirect truck traffic from the downtown area of Beamsville and along Bartlett Road and Durham Road.
In the longer term, the Niagara Escarpment Crossing Project will be a new north-south truck route strategically located between the QEW and Regional Road 20. This route supports the need identified in the Niagara Region Transportation Master Plan for a new north-south escarpment crossing linking the QEW with Highway 20. It will offset the implications of high commercial vehicle traffic travelling through urban and residential areas within the west Niagara communities of Lincoln and Grimsby.
The Town’s Transportation Master Plan developed comprehensive strategies for the movement of goods which requires ongoing partnership with the Niagara Region and other key agencies such as the Minister of Transportation and Niagara Regional Police.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
905-563-2799 ext. 230