Media Release: Town of Lincoln and Partners Continue Joint Efforts to Strengthen Commercial Vehicle Safety

Lincoln, ON – (August 12, 2025) – The Town of Lincoln, together with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), Ministry of Transportation (MTO), and Niagara Region, carried out its fifth coordinated truck safety initiative of 2025 on August 7.

This latest enforcement blitz targeted commercial motor vehicles traveling on bypass routes to avoid designated Vineland inspection area along the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). Officers conducted in-depth roadside inspections to ensure operators met Ontario’s commercial vehicle safety requirements.

Results from the August 7 initiative:

• 26 vehicles fully inspected
• 13 vehicles (50%) taken out of service for safety violations
• 13 charges issued

Alongside these roadside efforts, Lincoln continues its partnership with Niagara Region through the Truck Bypass Camera Monitoring Pilot Program. Launched in early 2023, the program uses advanced AI technology to detect commercial vehicles bypassing approved inspection routes. This data-driven approach supports Niagara Region’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on local roads.

Information gathered through both the Pilot Program and enforcement blitzes is helping Lincoln identify truck traffic patterns, guide infrastructure planning, and strengthen community safety initiatives. Lincoln remains committed to working with the MTO, NRPS, and Niagara Region to keep local roads safe.

For more on the Town’s truck traffic initiatives, visit Speak Up Lincoln. To learn more about Lincoln’s broader road safety measures—including community safety zones, pedestrian crossovers, speed bumps, and radar feedback signs—visit Lincoln.ca.

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.

Niagara Region & Town of Lincoln – Road and Traffic Safety Collaboration

The Town of Lincoln and Niagara Region have a strong history of collaboration on road safety, traffic management, and community well-being. Through coordinated efforts, both have worked to reduce speeding, improve pedestrian safety, and manage growing traffic volumes in key areas of Lincoln. This partnership aligns with the Region’s Vision Zero Road Safety Initiative, which aims to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on roads across Niagara.

The Region has supported local safety enhancements such as community safety zones, digital speed feedback signs, and pedestrian crossovers, helping to create safer streets for residents of all ages. Joint planning and investment in regional road improvements also ensure that Lincoln’s transportation network meets the needs of a growing population while supporting economic development and public safety.

Quotes:

“Residents have been clear—they value the teamwork behind this ongoing effort to keep our roads safe,” said Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “By joining forces with our partners, we can steer heavy truck traffic toward better-suited routes and address problem areas head-on, creating safer neighbourhoods for everyone.”

“This long-standing partnership shows how serious we are about achieving Vision Zero,” said Regional Councillor Robert Foster. “Tools like the Truck Bypass Camera Monitoring Pilot give us the insight we need to make smart, evidence-based improvements across Niagara’s roadways.”

“Working alongside Niagara Region means we can act on reliable data and target enforcement where it’s needed most,” said Michael Kirkopoulos, CAO of the Town of Lincoln. “It’s an approach that protects our infrastructure, supports the local economy, and keeps people moving safely through our community.”

“Lincoln’s roads are here to serve our residents and local businesses—not as a shortcut for heavy bypass traffic,” said Ward 3 Councillor and Chair of the Community Services and Infrastructure Committee, Mike Mikolic. “Through consistent enforcement and smarter technology, we’re making sure our roads remain safe, strong, and built to last.”

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