Effective immediately, the province is expanding its network of where trucks can haul heavy, high value cargo, such as oversized construction materials used in the oil and gas industry, announced Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.

“When we put these transportation improvements into effect, we’re enabling our LNG, mining, energy, forestry, tourism and other industries to thrive,” said Stone. “Expanding the pre-approved heavy-haul routes in B.C. will be a benefit to businesses and the shipping industry, for LNG development in the north and ultimately, for our provincial economy.”

As part of B.C. on the Move, the provinces’ new 10-year transportation plan, government committed to deliver an explicit trucking strategy. This strategy includes the creation of more pre-approved routes around the province for delivering heavy project cargo from its origin to a work site.

Two new pre-approved routes for shipments of 85 gross vehicle weight (GVW) include:

• Highway 17—the South Fraser Perimeter Rd.—from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to the Junction of Highway 1 and Highway 15, and
• an extension of the Highway 16 route from Terrace to Kitwanga.

Creating a pre-approved heavy haul route on Highway 17 connects Fraser Surrey Docks, which is part of Port Metro Vancouver, to the 85-tonne network. The pre-approved route on Highway 16 from Terrace to Kitwanga closes a gap in the 85-tonne route and means that trucks hauling oversized loads have a continuous route from Alberta through to Kitimat.

These pre-approved routes will give shippers the flexibility to plan their routes and know what permit conditions they would need to address. They will also have the certainty to know they’ll be able to receive a permit quickly when within the policy guidelines.

Both of these newly-upgraded routes are also being considered for further upgrades to allow for the hauling of 125-tonne loads. Highway 17 is part of a proposed 125-tonne route from Fraser Surrey Docks (Tannery Rd) to Highway 1.

Learn more:

Learn more about B.C. on the Move at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Follow the work of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: http://tranbc.ca/