Lincoln, ON – (June 6, 2024) – On June 3, 2024, the Town of Lincoln partnered once again with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to conduct a targeted enforcement blitz. This initiative aimed to stop commercial motor vehicles travelling on known by-pass routes to avoid the Vineland MTO Inspection Station.
Building on our ongoing efforts, this year’s series of blitzes in collaboration with the MTO aims to further reduce local truck traffic volumes while emphasizing road safety.
During these blitzes, officials diligently identify and inspect commercial vehicles that are deliberately bypassing the Vineland Inspection Station on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). These inspections ensure that all vehicles comply with Ontario’s legislated road safety standards.
Lincoln's enforcement blitzes are a direct result of Council's determination to divert commercial vehicle traffic away from the Town's downtown areas, and onto regional and municipal roads better suited for larger trucks. This strategy helps maintain a smooth flow of goods, vital for supporting local businesses and the overall economy.
"As we persist in addressing the challenge of unnecessary truck traffic in Lincoln, these blitzes remain essential to our efforts,” said Mayor Sandra Easton. “We are delighted by the increased frequency of these operations, as they play a crucial role in ensuring road safety and supporting the efficient movement of goods, which is essential for the economic well-being of our community.”
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 14 inspections were completed
- 8 vehicles were deemed to be out of service
- 2 plates were seized
Tony Brunet, Ward 2 Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Community Services and Infrastructure Committee, stated "I am incredibly pleased to witness the continuation and expansion of this vital initiative. Ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority. The increased frequency of these blitzes highlights our commitment to managing local truck traffic effectively and safeguarding our roads."
“Our ongoing collaboration with the MTO and other partners reinforces our dedication to road safety and supporting our local economy,” said the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer Michael Kirkopoulos. “By implementing a collaborative and persistent approach, we are making significant strides in advancing Lincoln's primary goals of community safety and economic vitality.”
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.