Lincoln, ON – (October 9, 2024) – The Town of Lincoln remains dedicated to improving roadway safety through its continued enforcement blitzes. On October 8, 2024, Lincoln partnered once again with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for a safety blitz aimed at commercial vehicles deliberately bypassing the Vineland MTO Inspection Station.
These initiatives are part of Lincoln's broader mission to reduce road safety risks posed by unsafe trucks and ensure compliance with Ontario’s road safety standards. By inspecting commercial vehicles that attempt to bypass the Vineland Inspection Station on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), Lincoln aims to mitigate potential safety risks and uphold the safety of all road users.
“Our ongoing partnership with the MTO continues to produce excellent results in enhancing safety on Lincoln’s roads,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “While we’re proud of the progress we’re making, it’s essential to continue these initiatives as there is still much work to be done. We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of our community, and these proactive measures are essential for achieving that goal.”
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 11 vehicles were comprehensively inspected.
- 5 vehicles were removed from the highway after significant safety concerns were identified.
- 11 charges were laid.
“These enforcement efforts highlight our strong focus on road safety and the need to manage truck traffic in Lincoln,” said Tony Brunet, Ward 2 Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Community Services and Infrastructure Committee. “We’re committed to ongoing collaboration with our partners to ensure our roads remain safe for everyone.”
“Partnerships like these are critical in driving tangible improvements in road safety,” added Michael Kirkopoulos, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Lincoln. “We will continue to strengthen these efforts to ensure Lincoln’s roads are safer with every initiative.”
These enforcement blitzes are aligned with the Council’s goal of diverting large commercial vehicles away from downtown areas and onto regional roads better equipped to handle truck traffic. This supports local businesses while enhancing safety and the quality of life for residents.
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.