Despite what the Ontario Trucking Association says was a misguided decision by City of Thunder Bay council to approve a new truck route, OTA continues to try and sway decision makers into at least amending its plan.
In a letter to Mayor Bill Mauro, the association assembled additional input for consideration it was prevented from commenting on during the Council vote and made recommendations should the truck route bylaw proceed.
Among OTA’s notes to the Mayor, the association once again stressed the importance of conducting a proper, transparent traffic flow impact analysis by professional engineers in order to achieve true due diligence in determining how passenger vehicles and large trucks interact during peak volume times at signalized intersections. OTA even offered to discuss cost sharing options for the work.
OTA reiterated its strong belief the most effective solution to this issue is the designation of a community safety zone and implementation of photo radar in the Dawson Road and Arthur Street areas.
OTA reminded the mayor there is still no detailed data on collisions on Arthur Street and Dawson Road and proceeding in banning trucks on these stretches of road without this information is moving forward without all of the facts. “While we disagree wholeheartedly with the process … the truck route was arrived at, we do feel it is important that the trucking industry be afforded the opportunity to participate in discussions concerning the drafting of the bylaw and are hopeful for open and transparent consultation,” the letter stated.
Finally, OTA also strongly recommended that in writing the bylaw, Council consider language to require ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the proposed routes.
