Lincoln, ON – (July 28, 2025) – The Town of Lincoln, in partnership with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), Niagara Region, Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Halton Regional Police Service, conducted the fourth joint enforcement initiative of 2025 on July 24.
This targeted safety blitz focused on identifying commercial motor vehicles using bypass routes to avoid the Vineland MTO Inspection Station along the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). Officers conducted comprehensive roadside inspections to ensure compliance with Ontario’s commercial vehicle safety standards.
The statistics from the recent initiative include:
- 25 vehicles comprehensively inspected
- 10 vehicles were placed out of service
- 21 Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) were issued
- 2 licence plates seized
In addition to the Truck Blitz, the Town of Lincoln is proud to continue to partner with Niagara Region to support the Town’s Truck Bypass Camera Monitoring Pilot Program. The program came into effect in early 2023 and leverages advanced AI technology to monitor and detect commercial vehicles that bypass the Vineland Inspection Station on the QEW. This safety initiative aligns with Niagara Region’s Vision Zero plans to make Niagara’s roads and communities safer.
Data collected during these blitzes, as well as the Pilot Program, are helping the Town build a clearer picture of truck traffic patterns and inform future safety strategies. 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:
“We’ve heard from our community how much they appreciate this joint effort to improve road safety,” said Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “By working with all our partners, we’re able to direct heavy truck traffic to more appropriate routes and identify recurring issues—making our streets safer for everyone.”
This partnership reflects our shared commitment to Vision Zero,” said Regional Councillor Robert Foster. “By using tools like the Truck Bypass Camera Monitoring Pilot, we’re making smart, data-driven decisions to improve safety across Niagara’s roads.”
“By working with Niagara Region, we’re using better data and enforcement to manage truck traffic more effectively,” said Michael Kirkopoulos, CAO of the Town of Lincoln. “This helps protect our roads, support local businesses, and keep our community moving safely.”
“Our roads are built for our community—not for heavy bypass traffic,” said Ward 3 Councillor and Chair of the Community Services and Infrastructure Committee, Mike Mikolic. “With stronger enforcement and smart monitoring, we’re protecting infrastructure and keeping our community safe and resilient for years to come.”