MONTREAL — The Quebec government’s decision this week to ban heavier loads on 135 provincial overpasses will increase delivery times and thereby the cost of transportation, warn members of the Quebec Trucking Association.

Speaking to CTV News, Marc Kummer of FLS Transportation said the ban on heavy trucks would push loads off the highways and onto city streets — increasing route miles and also exposing heavy trucks to urban and residential areas.

Affected trucks include heavy-haul loads operating under special permit, as well as seven-axle, and double-trailer units.

Yesterday, the Quebec Ministry of Transport released a list of structures it flagged for weight limits until officials can ensure they are safe for overweight loads. (follow the link at the bottom of the page for the complete list).

The announcement came a day after the conclusion of a special inquiry that was looking into the overpass collapse that killed five people in Laval last November.

Out of the 135 bridges, ramps, and overpasses on the list, eight are on the island of Montreal, one in downtown Montreal, and 19 are located in the Quebec City area. A handful are in located in Abitibi-Témiscamingue-Nord-du-Québec; and about half a dozen in Bas-Saint-Laurent-Gaspésie as well as Chaudière-Appalaches, among other locations.

All the structures are said to share similarities with the Laval overpass. Like that structure, some may lack proper steel reinforcement.

The public inquiry has raised questions about the stability of Quebec’s overpasses and the government’s ability to properly maintain the network.

Transport Quebec originally refused to release the list of affected overpasses, but later agreed to make it public after lobbying from the Quebec trucking Association.

— with files from CTV News