Road Network
Long-Combination Vehicle (LCV) Pilot Program in Ontario
April, 2009
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation announced in April 2009 a pilot program to allow a limited number of commercial operators to pull two full-sized trailers on designated Ontario highways. Known as Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs), these vehicles transport light, bulky goods more safely, more economically, with less greenhouse gas emissions for a certain volume of goods. LCVs have been on the road in western Canada, Quebec, and more than 20 American states for decades. The pilot program will include restrictions on where and when the vehicles can travel, and what they can carry. The pilot program harmonizes Ontario and Quebec’s regulations for LCVs. Ontario’s safety rules will exceed those in most other jurisdictions. The program is the result of consultation with public safety and municipal stakeholders, as well as representatives from the trucking and manufacturing industries.
To read more about Ontario’s LCV pilot program go to www.mto.gov.on.ca/...
New speed limiter regulations in Québec and Ontario
Winter, 2009
On January 1, 2009, the governments of Quebec and Ontario implemented speed limiting devices on all large trucks. Speed limiters offer economic benefits, promote safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Quebec and Ontario require trucks equipped with a speed limiter to be set to a maximum speed of 105 km/h (65 m/h). There will be a six-month educational awareness period to provide truck companies and drivers, including those from other Canadian jurisdictions and the United States, an opportunity to comply with the new rules.
A Government of Canada study confirms that speed limiters could yield neconomic and environmental benefits. Limiting truck speeds to 105 km/h in Ontario and Quebec is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 150 million litres a year. Reduced fuel consumption means lower operating costs for transportation companies and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 410,000 tonnes.
To access the Quebec news release, please visit the Quebec Ministry of Transportation website at www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/...
To access the Ontario news release, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/...
Improving Urban Congestion in Ontario
Winter, 2009
Urban congestion can slow freight movement. The Public and Private Sector Advisory Committees called for improved urban traffic flows to allow traffic to move more quickly across cities. To help ease urban congestion through the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ontario created Metrolinx to develop a seamless, integrated and sustainable transportation system across this area. In November, Metrolinx released its Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) which will help ease congestion and improve freight movement through the most populated areas of Ontario. The province will invest $11.5 billion to begin implementation of RTP. Ontario is also adding more high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, as part of a 25-year plan to build a 400-kilometre network of HOV lanes on major 400-series highways.
Tackling Urban Congestion in Quebec
Winter, 2009
The Quebec government drafted its first policy aimed at increasing public transit ridership across the province, with plans to invest $4.5 billion over the five-year implementation phase. To improve services in the Montreal area, the government has already given the green light to a multi-billion dollar investment, in particular to purchase 20 dual-powered vehicles (electricity/ diesel), commission 160 new bi-level commuter rail cars, build a new commuter line to serve the eastern and northeastern parts of the island, replace 336 first generation metro cars, and increase the number of articulated buses and reserved bus lanes. All these measures will not only help ease congestion, but will also ensure the efficient movement of passengers and goods.
Rest area upgrade plan in Quebec
November 3, 2008
On November 3, 2008, the Quebec Minister of Transport signed a 30 year PPP agreement with Immostar Inc., the company responsible for the design, construction, funding, maintenance and operation of a first series of seven service areas within Quebec’s road network. The implementation of these infrastructures, planned over a three year period, will require an investment of about $35 M from the selected company.
In addition to better serve motorists, these new service areas, strategically located along Quebec highways, will help meet the needs of truck drivers by offering round the clock access to full-service restaurants, information on road conditions, gas stations at most of the sites and reserved parking for heavy vehicles.
For more information, visit the MTQ website at www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/... (French only)
Highway 30
July 8, 2008
The new section of Highway 30 will create a southern by-pass for the Greater Montréal Area. This infrastructure will help integrate highways 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 540 into a more efficient network to better connect the Greater Montréal Area, the Montérégie region, Ontario, the Maritimes and U.S. markets. On June 19, 2008, the Government of Quebec, together with the Government of Canada, announced that “Nouvelle Autoroute 30, S.E.N.C.” was the selected consortium to build the section between Châteauguay and Vaudreuil-Dorion through a public-private partnership (PPP) formula. The total cost is estimated at over $1 billion. According to the planned schedule, the new by-pass will open in 2012.
This 35-year partnership agreement is for the design, construction, financing, operation, maintenance and repair of this section of Highway 30. In addition, the private partner will be responsible for maintaining, operating and repairing approximately 32 additional kilometres of Highway 30, built under a traditional arrangement, for the same period.
Quebec Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region Julie Boulet said, “This infrastructure will make a significant contribution to the Quebec economy and enable drivers to bypass the Island of Montréal easily and safely. The announcement of the selected consortium constitutes another step in the achievement of this important project for the Greater Montréal Area.”
Read more about the completion of Highway 30 at www.autoroute30.qc.ca/en
