NLIS 3
April 12, 2006
(Government Services)

Government to activate Port aux Basques and Foxtrap weigh scales

 Dianne Whalen, Minister of Government Services, is pleased to confirm that five positions will be created to activate the Port aux Basques and Foxtrap weigh scales to capture commercial traffic traveling on the Trans-Canada Highway. Through Budget 2006, government has provided $143,500 for the Port aux Basques weigh scales and $140,000 for the Foxtrap weigh scales.  It is anticipated that both weigh scales will begin operating this summer.

�Highway safety is of the utmost importance to our government,� said Minister Whalen.  �By activating the Port aux Basques and Foxtrap weigh scales, we will be enhancing our evaluation systems to get a clearer picture of compliance by the trucking industry.  Increased monitoring of truck weights and enforcement is generally beneficial for ensuring highway safety and infrastructure protection.�

The Port aux Basques weigh scales will be operated around the ferry schedule, primarily incoming traffic, since most of the commercial traffic would be generated from the ferry arrivals.  There will, however, also be monitoring of outgoing traffic in combination with the portable scales units on the west coast and the fixed scales at Pynn�s Brook. 

On the east coast, the Foxtrap weigh scales will be operated on a random basis, again in combination with the portable scales units on the Avalon Peninsula.  This will improve enforcement by making the scales operation less predictable for truck operators and so increase the opportunities for effective enforcement.

The activation of both weigh scales will provide government with the ability to improve its data collection.   With an improved information reporting system, government can more accurately pinpoint potential areas of concern on a timely basis and use this to improve the auditing of commercial carriers and trucking fleets.  Government will also be monitoring traffic on routes adjacent to the weigh and inspection sites so that trucks can be diverted to a weigh scale station for an inspection.

The Department of Government Services currently operates three fixed weigh scales at Pynn�s Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Goobies as well as four sets of portable scales which operate along the Trans-Canada Highway and on trunk roads.  The department currently employs 21 weigh scale inspectors. 

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-4860, 682-6593

2004 04 12                                                        10:30 a.m.