Report to: GENERAL
COMMITTEE Report Date:
SUBJECT: Spring and Year-Round Load Restrictions
for the Town of
PREPARED BY: Dereje Tafesse, Technical Co-ordinator ext. 2475
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report titled ‘Spring and Year Round Load Restrictions for
the Town of
AND THAT the gross weight of commercial vehicles be restricted to 5 tonnes per axle on all public highways under the jurisdiction of the Town of Markham, from March 1, 2007 to April 30, 2007, according to the attached by-law “Appendix A ”;
AND THAT should adverse spring thaw conditions be encountered due to a harsh winter, at the discretion of the Director of Operations, the load restrictions be extended up to May 31, 2007 (up to four weeks);
AND THAT the gross vehicle weight of commercial vehicles be restricted to 5 tonnes per axle for the hard surfaced Town roads listed in Appendix ‘B’, from March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2008, according to the attached by-law “Appendix B”;
AND THAT according to the Highway Traffic Act Sec. 122(4) the restrictions would exempt vehicles operated by or on behalf of the municipality and school busses;
AND THAT the Director of Operations be authorized to grant exemptions to the By-law to permit heavy vehicular loads, at his discretion.
AND THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Not applicable
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to prevent premature failure to the
Town’s road surface and to reduce the high cost of road repair and
rehabilitation as a result of damages that occur from heavy commercial vehicle
activities. Under the proposed by-laws, trucks over 5 tonnes per axle will be
restricted on public highways and hard surfaced rural Town roads.
BACKGROUND:
Under section 122(7) of the Highway Traffic Act, the municipal
corporation having jurisdiction over a highway may, by by-law, designate the
date on which a reduced load period shall start or end and the highway or
portion thereof to which the designation applies. Therefore, the Council of the
Town of
OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:
The Operations Department will post load limit restrictions to limit
loads to 5 tonnes per axle on all Town roads, with the exception of those
listed in Appendix ‘A’, for the spring thaw period from
In addition, the Operations Department will continue to impose
year-round load restrictions on all hard surfaced rural roads, under the
jurisdiction of the Town of
There has been a significant increase in the volume of heavy commercial vehicles, which utilize sections of the Town’s rural road network as truck routes. Heavy commercial vehicles are infiltrating and damaging the infrastructure of these roads. The proposed year-round load restriction will discourage operators from utilizing these roads and thereby reduce the high cost of road repairs. Access along these roads will continue to be available for commuters and local residents. The year-round by-law restriction will apply only for the Town rural roads that have a potential for becoming heavy truck haulage routes. For businesses located on these roads, annual overweight permits may be issued by the Town on a no-fee basis to address their needs.
A Town of
FINANCIAL TEMPLATE: (external link)
Not Applicable
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Operations Department have reviewed this
report with the By-Law Division of the Corporate Services Commission and they
concur with the content.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Paul Ingham Peter Loukes, P.Eng
General Manager, Operations Director, Operations
________________________
Jim Sales
Commissioner of Community
& Fire Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix ‘A’ - List of streets that will not
require load restrictions
Appendix ‘B’ - List of roads to have year-round
load restrictions