Lincoln, ON – (May 29, 2025) – On May 21, the Town of Lincoln collaborated with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), Halton Regional Police Service, Hamilton Police Service, and Ontario Provincial Police for the first joint enforcement initiative of the year. This initiative focused on stopping commercial motor vehicles travelling on known bypass routes, avoiding the Vineland MTO Inspection Station.
During this blitz, officers diligently identify commercial vehicles intentionally bypassing the Vineland Inspection Station on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). They conduct thorough vehicle inspections to ensure compliance with Ontario's legislated road safety standards.
Lincoln's safety blitzes are a direct outcome of Council's priority to ensure traffic safety by diverting commercial vehicle traffic away from the Town's downtown areas and onto regional and municipal roads better suited for larger trucks. This redirection still maintains the necessary flow of goods to support local businesses and the overall economy.
“The Town of Lincoln remains dedicated to tackling the persistent issue of non-essential truck traffic on our local roads, and our joint enforcement initiative continues to be one of the most effective tools in doing so,” said Mayor Sandra Easton. “These safety blitzes remain to be a strong reflection of the shared commitment among all involved agencies. Thank you to each partner for continuing to put public and road safety first.”
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 31 vehicles comprehensively inspected
- 9 vehicles removed from the highway after significant safety concerns were identified
- 3 licence plates seized
- 15 charges laid
Deficiencies identified include annual inspection, brakes, cargo securement, CVOR, daily inspection logs.
Mike Mikolic, Ward 3 Councillor and Chair of the Town’s Community Services and Infrastructure Committee, added, "This important initiative has played a critical role in maintaining safety in our community and delivering on our commitments to residents and businesses. By working together, we're helping keep all road users safe while supporting the smooth flow of goods."
“This initiative shows how collaboration can drive meaningful results,” said Michael Kirkopoulos, the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Our focus remains on ensuring road safety and supporting a strong local economy—both of which are central priorities for Lincoln.”
The data collected from blitzes will contribute to further understanding truck traffic trends in Lincoln. As the Town gathers more insights, it plans to continue its collaboration with the MTO and Niagara Regional Police Service to address traffic concerns and ensure safer roads for all.
For more information on truck safety in Lincoln, 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.