Released on September 3, 2010
Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter salutes all commercial drivers and the trucking industry with the proclamation of Saskatchewan Trucking Week, Sept. 5-12.
"Saskatchewan has an export-based economy that is heavily dependent on the transportation of goods by truck, Reiter said. "The trucking industry is critical to ensure these goods get to regional, national and international markets as efficiently as possible."
For this reason, the provincial government has taken aggressive steps to improve the flow of goods shipped by truck and cut related red tape.
Truck transport in this province is integral in the movement of about 92 per cent of goods, products and commodities, according to the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA).
"We salute our transport companies for their dedication to their staff and the safe movement of goods that positively impact the economy," said Al Rosseker, STA Executive Director. "We also applaud the governments in Western Canada for eliminating trade barriers that have increased the flow of goods."
Last year, the governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help harmonize policies and regulations for commercial vehicle operations. As a result, Saskatchewan increased the weight limit from 62,500 kg to 63,500 kg for carriers operating B-train truck tractor and semi-trailer combinations on Saskatchewan's most heavily-travelled highways. Alberta and B.C. allow a weight limit of 63,500 kg for these vehicles.
Phase 1 of this initiative was implemented June 1, providing a weight limit increase to specified provincial highways as well as all cities and urban centres located along these routes. Phase 2 which wil be implemented in the near future, willl see the weight increase eventually expanded to other targeted primary weight highways on the provincial system.
The advancement of these changes meet with th spirit of the New West Partnership agreement signed by the governments of Alberta, BC, and Saskatchewan earlier this year.
The province has also initiated development of a high-clearance trucking corridor to allow over-sized loads to be moved without the need to raise or temporarily cut utility lines and other structures. It will run from Saskatoon to the Alberta-Saskatchewan border on Highway 7 and Melville to Rosetown via Highways 15 and 4, and will be implemented in 2011. Shippers will pay a permit fee to use this corridor at a dramatically reduced cost.
Earlier this summer, provincial transportation ministers from Saskatchewan and Manitoba met in Brandon with shippers and stakeholders to explore various options to harmonize trucking regulations and policies between the two jurisdictions. Officials from the two provinces are currently developing the next steps forward.
"Saskatchewan Trucking Week reminds us of the importance of the commercial trucking industry to our province," Reiter said.
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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Leatherdale
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Cell: 306-536-9692