BCTA hopeful that LCV proposal will be approved this month

PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. (July 21, 1999) — The British Columbia Trucking Association is hopeful that its proposal to allow Rocky Mountain Doubles on Hwy. 2 between the B.C.-Alberta border and the town of Dawson Creek will be approved by the province this month.

The Insurance Corp. of British Columbia, which oversees truck safety regulation in the province, has been considering the BCTA proposal since last fall. ICBC has named a full-time project coordinator for the LCV project.

The trip between the border and Dawson Creek is 41 kilometres. The most efficient truck access into the town, located in the northeast region of B.C., is from Alberta, where LCVs are allowed. Carriers using LCVs to bring cargo into the area currently must stop at the B.C. border, break up the vehicle combination, and then make two trips. Between 65 and 70% of freight hauled into the Dawson Creek region originates in Alberta.

The terms and conditions in the test would mirror rules governing LCV use in Alberta. Carriers also would not be permitted to transport bulk liquids, loads that sway or hang, or homogenous bulk commodities such as hay, wood chips, sawdust, or hog fuel. The 12-month study would be evaluated on the basis of collisions and violations, regulatory compliance, and public complaints.

Canadian Freightways, Federated Co-operatives, Grimshaw Trucking, Byers Trucking, and Canadian Safeway would participate.

“There have been two ministers since last September, and ICBC has undergone a huge internal shake-up, so our proposal kind of sat on the shelf,” said BCTA director of government affairs Louis Yako. “We’ve been in close contact throughout that period, however. We have every expectation that they’ll agree to it.”