Trucks entering Hamilton met with giant billboard on new restrictions
Published March 22, 2023 at 8:30 am
In case you missed the news earlier this month, the City of Hamilton made dramatic changes to its truck routes, limiting the roads on which trucks with more than four axles (essentially any truck with eight or more wheels) are permitted to travel, and when they are permitted to use those roads.
The City has taken a large step to ensure the message has at least been delivered to incoming trucks in the form of an electronic billboard that can be seen from the QEW.
The billboard is one of 600 signs being implemented across the city through March and April.
Truck routes have been heavily debated at the municipal level for years as residents expressed concerns over safety. Last month, for example, a large delivery truck drove through an east end side street, taking down power lines in the midst of a snowstorm.
The new traffic by-law amendment restricts trucks over four axles from travelling within certain areas of the downtown and other parts of the lower city. It also removes streets from the truck route network and modifies day and time restrictions.
Videos
“The updated Truck Route Network and Truck Route Master Plan Study Report explored opportunities to provide safe and efficient movement of trucks in Hamilton, support economic activities, minimize negative impacts of truck traffic on sensitive land uses, and balance between the industry and community needs,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath.
“After extensive reviews of policy and problem identification as well as stakeholder and public engagement, the implementation of new routes is a great next step in making sure our streets are safer for all users.”
The roads that four-axle trucks will no longer be allowed to use include Main St. East, King St. East, Claremont Access, and Concession St., plus sections of Bay St., Victoria Ave. North, Wellington St. North, Queenston Rd., and Parkdale Ave. North.
Meanwhile, day-time truck route access is also being removed from James St. South, John St., and Arkledun Ave.
Route sections of Bay St. North, Stuart St., and Queen St. North have also been revised from full-time to day-time access only.
Trucks are being restricted to what the City deems as suitable roadways to mitigate impacts such as noise, vibration, and safety for vulnerable road users. Drivers are expected to follow designated routes but may exit the permissive route to access their destination using the shortest distance from the truck route possible from non-designated city roadways.
The updated route map is available at www.hamilton.ca/truckroute.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising