News Release: Highway 416 Truck Inspection Station Helps Improve Roads Safety

For Immediate Release
November 20, 2000

Highway 416 Truck Inspection Station Helps Improve Roads Safety

KEMPTVILLE - A new "lay-by" truck inspection station on Highway 416 southbound began operations today, announced Transportation Minister David Turnbull and the Honourable Bob Runciman, MPP for Leeds-Grenville. The $1.4 million station will enhance truck and road user safety in Eastern Ontario.

MTO's mobile truck inspection units conduct regular enforcement activities on Ontario's highways. This new station is designed to provide a safe pull-off area next to Highway 416 where ministry enforcement officers can examine commercial vehicles.

The new off-road inspection station includes a truck bypass lane, four inspection bays separated by concrete barriers, rumble strips installed beside the lanes and truck detention centres. To assist staff, each bay also has low-level lighting set into the concrete barrier and overhead lighting for nighttime inspections. The new station will accommodate mobile weigh scales.

"This facility provides an innovative way for MTO's mobile truck inspection unit to conduct enforcement activities off the highway," said Turnbull. "The project reflects our continuing commitment to improve truck safety on eastern Ontario's highways, and will enable MTO enforcement staff to carry out inspections safely and effectively."

This investment is part of the government's $20 billion SuperBuild initiative designed to spearhead and facilitate the largest infrastructure building program in Ontario's history.

"Through SuperBuild, we are making the province's highways safer for drivers and more accessible for the people of Ontario," said Finance Minister and Minister responsible for SuperBuild Ernie Eves. "Projects like this one for the new truck lay-by station, are key to modernizing and rebuilding the province's infrastructure."

"This prototype incorporates the most advanced design and safety features of any truck inspection lay-by in Ontario," said Runciman. "Plans have also been developed to build a lay-by on the Highway 416 northbound lanes within the coming years, possibly as early as next year."

"We recognize the important role Ontario's trucking industry plays in providing reliable and cost-effective transportation of goods for the province's booming economy," added Turnbull. "New facilities like this one combined with our truck enforcement program will improve road user safety, a top priority with this government."