Traffic stop

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MacIntyre Coun. Trevor Giertuga took a step closer to eliminating truck traffic along Dawson Road.

Council on Monday unanimously passed Giertuga's resolution calling for a length restriction on vehicles traveling on the municipal portion of the roadway, which truckers have used for years to cut time off their travels through the city.

Should the bylaw pass, the city would then turn to the province seeking permission to put signage on Highway 11/17 indicating the restrictions are in place. Ministry of Transportation officials have indicated current regulations do not allow for signs that restrict traffic to be placed on provincial roadways.

Giertuga said the emphasis has to be on safety, and exemptions for local deliveries have been worked into his bylaw request.

"It's not the local businesses that are causing the problem," Giertuga said. "Those aren't the people who are tailgating. Those aren't the people who are speeding. Those aren't the people who are driving recklessly because those people have families in Thunder Bay."

According to figures provided at the meeting, truckers represent 10 per cent of the traffic, but 26 per cent of the accidents. The report also argued it forcilby diverting trucks to the Shabaqua Extension would cost the industry upward of $2 million a year, though some councillors argued the winding roadway on Highway 102 vastly cuts into any savings and time the shortened route provides.

Vince Rutter, who said he's got 2,000 names on a petition demanding the city do something to limit truck traffic on the road, whose easternmost portion is owned and maintained by the municipality.

He said he was encouraged by the overwhelming support for the idea.

"We feel good about it. We feel it's certainly a step closer to our goal. It still represents a delay in reaching the goal of moving those trucks off, but it's the best we can do right now and I think it will eventually lead to a positive result," Rutter said.

Nikos Mantis, who presented alongside Rutter called it a positive result and noted he believes it will be hard for the province to say no to the city's request for signage should the restrictions be put in place.

"It's obvious it's the right thing to do," Mantis said. "It's the safer alternative and I think it's a big step forward for our community," Mantis said.

"I do believe one way or another, the city will find an option to divert traffic from Dawson Road and I'm very optimistic that we're taking the steps in the right direction."

Under current provincial laws, the city can ask the province to place signs on MTO property that indicate a preference that truck traffic be redirected to the Shabaqua Extension, but Coun. Larry Hebert said there are no guarantees truckers will follow suit, asking the deputation their thoughts.

"It's not going to be an easy solution," Hebert said. "Do you really believe a lot of the traffic would be transferred from Highway 102 to the Shabaqua Extension?

"Certainly permissive signs have a more positive feel and would do a better job for the city," Rutter replied.

Coun. Aldo Ruberto suggested the city could go ahead, with or without the province's co-operation.

"Can we not just build a turnaround where our city limits are?" he asked. "If (the signage) doesn't happen for some reason, we still have the option of doing something else that will provide safety."

City engineer Pat Mauro indicated he would prefer a weight restriction rather than a length restriction, which he maintained would be easier for police to enforce, though in order to fine scofflaws, would require an escorted trip through town to the city's Egan Street scales.

A report is expected to be brought back before council later this year.

Follow Leith Dunick on Twitter: @LeithDunick