Road construction, detours, prompt heavy truck restrictions in Warwick

Warwick Township has banned heavy trucks from some residential side streets, after roadwork was leading big rigs along potentially dangerous detours. “Some of them blowing through stop signs,” said Mayor Todd Case. The recent parking bylaw update prohibits heavy-truck traffic where signs are posted. The move follows the start of construction projects along Churchill Line, [...]

Article content Warwick Township has banned heavy trucks from some residential side streets, after roadwork was leading big rigs along potentially dangerous detours. “Some of them blowing through stop signs,” said Mayor Todd Case. Recommended Videos The recent parking bylaw update prohibits heavy-truck traffic where signs are posted.

The move follows the start of construction projects along Churchill Line, and at the busy intersection of Nauvoo Road and Confederation Line in late June, said township chief administrator Trevor Jarrett. Trucks and other traffic started speeding through residential side streets instead of using official detour routes, he said. “It was a lot of transport trucks going through town and a lot of people rolling through stops,” he said, noting detours were happening by the East Lambton Community Complex that includes an arena, gym, and other public amenities.

“We just wanted to make sure that the community had safety,” Jarrett said. Amid complaints from residents, the township called for more OPP enforcement, and a number of tickets followed, said Case. Police have “been absolutely terrific to deal with, bringing in all of the resources we need to let people know that it’s not OK to disobey the traffic laws in Warwick Township,” Case said.

“Couldn’t thank the OPP enough for their attention to the matter.” But strengthening the bylaw to limit truck traffic was also needed to help save local infrastructure, and give police more tools for enforcement, he said. “Secondary roads like the ones that are in residential areas aren’t designed for heavy truck traffic,” Jarrett said.

“It’s OK if you get the occasional one,” but regular use means the roads will crumble quicker, he said, noting municipalities in general are already facing a crunch when it comes to aging infrastructure in need of repair. “This allows us to basically say ‘OK, please stick to the (truck) routes,” he said about the bylaw add-on. “If not, there is an enforcement mechanism now that can be done by the OPP.”

Penalties are under the Provincial Offences Act, Jarrett said. Since putting up the signs July 7, there’s been a drop-off in the number of offences, he said. “Friday, (OPP) were there for two hours and they issued seven tickets,” he said.

“So signage is working.” Exemptions to the heavy-truck ban includes local deliveries, emergency response vehicles, residents travelling to or from properties on affected roads, contractors at a job site, and vehicles doing township work, the bylaw says. The $2.2-million Nauvoo Road and Confederation Line rebuild is a County of Lambton project and involves adding traffic lights to the intersection, said Jarrett and Warwick public works manager Kyle Chisholm.

Centennial Line repaving is happening is happening in five phases over five years, with Warwick and Brooke-Alvinston splitting the $7.2-million total cost, Jarrett said. Phase one is underway between Forest and Kingscourt roads, he said. There are also plans to add more sidewalks on local streets by East Lambton Elementary School, Jarrett said.

“Just to ensure overall safety for residents.” That work could happen this year or next, depending on available funding, he said.