Lincoln, ON – (May 30, 2024) – On May 24, 2024, the Town of Lincoln collaborated with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), Hamilton Police Service (HPS), and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for a collaborative enforcement initiative targeting commercial motor vehicle safety. These efforts reinforce Lincoln’s dedication to enhancing roadway safety, initiated by community concerns in both Lincoln and West Lincoln over rising commercial vehicle traffic in key areas and residential neighbourhoods.
The primary focus of these initiatives is to identify commercial vehicles deliberately bypassing the Vineland Inspection Station on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and to conduct in-depth vehicular inspections to ensure compliance with the road safety standards, as legislated by the Province of Ontario.
These safety blitzes directly 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 is done while maintaining the smooth flow of goods to support local businesses and the overall economy.
"Town Council and our dedicated staff are proud to continue prioritizing community safety with these joint initiatives," said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. "These ongoing blitzes are essential for maintaining traffic safety in Lincoln and ensuring the efficient movement of goods that is vital to our local economy. We look forward to seeing this momentum persist as we work together to keep our roadways safe."
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 19 vehicles were comprehensively inspected.
- 9 vehicles were removed from the highway after significant safety concerns were identified.
- Out of service defects that were identified include load security, suspension issues, brake defects, as well as charges for weight infractions and improper inspection reports were issued.
"In our ongoing commitment to traffic safety, the collaborative efforts of our community agencies remain essential to the success of our traffic safety program," said Tony Brunet, Ward 2 Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Community Services and Infrastructure Committee. "Collectively, we have increased the number of blitzes taking place, reflecting Council’s dedication to road safety in Lincoln. The statistics on violations and vehicles taken out of service prove the positive impact of our efforts."
"We greatly appreciate the dedication and ongoing efforts of our partner agencies in promoting traffic safety within our community,” said the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer Michael Kirkopoulos. “Through persistent and collaborative efforts, we are making significant strides in Lincoln's priority to maintain safe roadways for everyone."
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.