Department announces changes to weigh-scale operations

Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen today announced the closure of commercial weigh scales at Port aux Basques and Foxtrap.

The department will continue to operate scales on the Trans-Canada Highway at Pynn�s Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Goobies. These scales capture the majority of cross-island commercial traffic.

"The vast majority of trucks entering the province are traveling to St. John�s. These trucks must stop at Pynn�s Brook and Goobies on their way to St. John�s," the minister said.

These changes are part of government�s commitment to make the most efficient use of government�s resources.

Changes in recent years to the road network on the Avalon Peninsula have reduced the effectiveness of the Foxtrap scale. The scale is on a divided highway and only captures west-bound traffic. With the Goobies scale just over an hour�s drive west of Foxtrap, all traffic heading west will be checked at Goobies.

The department has portable weigh-scale teams serving the Avalon Peninsula and the west coast. These portable scales are regularly set up on secondary roads to randomly weigh and inspect commercial traffic that may not frequent the Trans-Canada Highway.

These portable teams can also staff the fixed scale sites at Port aux Basques and Foxtrap on a random basis.

"We believe this new configuration provides the most efficient use of resources. Our fixed scales catch the majority of cross-island traffic, while the portable weigh-scale teams can do random checks on some of our busier secondary roads, such as the Argentia access road."

The changes to the weigh-scale operations will save $400,000 and result in the loss of 10 positions. One position is currently vacant. These changes are effective June 11, 2004

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860 or 690-6157

2004 05 11             1:30 p.m.