County stays at current weight for heavy trucks

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Actions spoke louder than works on May 19, when Wheatland County council lost the vote to increase the weight restrictions on Tri-drive and tractor trucks.
Council was asked to consider changing the weight limit to 23,000kg from 21,000 kg, raising red flags with some councilors about the possible damage to county roads.
Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester, Councillor Rex Harwood, and Councillor Ben Armstrong voted in opposition of the motion, ultimately resulting in a lost vote with the absence of Councillor Don VanderVelde.
Although county administration hadn’t noticed any additional damage to the roads with 23,000 kg, council had discussed the option of singling out certain roads through a ban that could have repercussions for agricultural producers.
“If we do that we’re going to hear a real outcry from some of our rural agriculture producers,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “If we give preference to farmers, what are we setting ourselves up for? A lot of the roads out there were built for single axle and some of them tandem axle, they weren’t built for these huge loads that are going over them.”
However, county transportation staff felt if a ban is a consideration, then it would need to be placed on the whole county – a view that was not shared by all councilors.
“Every year we have a list of roads that are banned,” said Councillor Brenda Knight. “I’m not sure I like the blanket idea. I think that if there are specific roads that are damaged, then they can be banned and added to the list in the spring.”
The request came before council as Tri-Drive trucks and truck tractors are becoming more common in the county, and removing the weight restriction would create ease of travel while providing consistency for commercial and farming industries.
While council did not budge on the weight restriction, companies may exceed the limit by applying to the county for an exemption allowance. Yet, some councillors felt those carrying the extra weight would find ways around the bylaw to travel on county roads.
“”This has always been a big issue,” said Councillor Alice Booth, who voted in favour of increasing the limit. “Being a trucker, we went to Alberta Transportation and the government would override the county. They will still be hauling the weight. Us coming in saying we are going to make this permanent, they are just going to get the permit from the provincial government.”
According to administration, the surrounding municipalities are currently following the permitting guidelines and regulations set out under the Traffic Safety Act for weight of commercial vehicles.
Alan Parkin, the chief administrative officer, does not see a change in weight in the foreseeable future. As the Motor Transport Bylaw will not see an increase on their weight restrictions, Wheatland County roads will remain at a weight limit of 21,000 kg.