The efficient and effective flow of commercial traffic is vital to any successful city and Winnipeg is no different, says the Manitoba Trucking Association. Discriminating against the trucking industry by banning trucks from Provencher, in whole or in part, will not only unfairly and unnecessarily raise the costs for that industry, but will do so for all the other industries served by Winnipeg trucking companies, adds MTA.
Banning trucks from Provencher in support of a handful of businesses is not only extremely unfair, but counter to sound economic policy. This is aside from the safety risks associated with increasing traffic on lower capacity roads in mixed use residential areas.
The Regional Street system within the City of Winnipeg, which includes Provencher Boulevard, is in place for the use of all residents and businesses of Winnipeg, and not just an exclusive group or community. To answer the demand for services and products, the truck transportation industry must have reasonable, safe and efficient access to all areas within, and through Winnipeg.
“There are hundreds of commercial vehicles that use Provencher Boulevard every day,” states Terry Shaw, General Manager, Manitoba Trucking Association. “Some might suggest pointing this out might be helping the argument of those looking to bans trucks. We dispute that and are presenting this fact to highlight just how important Provencher is to the road network of Winnipeg. Provencher hosts over 27,000 vehicles daily, and only a very small fraction of which are trucks. Provencher is constructed and designed to be a truck route, it connects major business districts in Winnipeg, it also connects Winnipeg with Provincial Truck Highways and it provides a crossing of the Red River. It only makes sense therefore that vehicles of all kinds will be found on it regularly.”
Shaw also states that, based on City of Winnipeg traffic counts and the suggested detours of Marion and Goulet, MTA estimates the financial burden to Winnipeg industries of banning trucks from Provencher to be almost $600,000 annually.
“While such a burden is obviously egregious, we question the need to even put forth such an argument. The simple fact is we are talking about a public roadway in Winnipeg. How is it acceptable that any safe and legal vehicle is being considered for discrimination based on the desires of a handful of residents?” says Shaw.
Adds Norm Blagden, President of the Manitoba Trucking Association: “The trucking industry doesn’t want or expect special treatment. We are simply asking for the same rights and privileges as any other constituent of Winnipeg, access to its public roadways.”
