“After being blocked by a large truck negotiating the tight intersection from southbound Route 216 onto Route 108 towards North Hatley, I wondered why such a truck, if it wasn’t making a delivery to North Hatley, would choose to follow Route 108 to communities north and east of the village. My letter to the Ministère de Transport du Québec asked that question.
“Their reply was, « Nous avons bien pris connaissance de vos commentaires et questionnements concernant la circulation des camions à North Hatley. Or, de par sa mission, le ministère des Transports se doit d’assurer l’accès à un réseau routier permettant la libre circulation des marchandises et le développement des activités économiques tout en tenant compte de la sécurité du public. La route 108 est classée comme une route collectrice de transit et fait partie du réseau de camionnage du Québec. Ce réseau a pour objectif de maintenir un juste équilibre entre les besoins associés au développement économique et les impératifs de protection du réseau routier, de mobilité et de sécurité de tous les usagers de la route. Le réseau de camionnage vise donc à diriger les véhicules lourds sur le réseau routier le plus approprié. Pour plus d’information, sur le réseau de camionnage du Québec, vous pouvez consulter l’Atlas des transports du Québec à l’adresse http://transports.atlas.gouv.qc.ca/Marchandises/MarchRestrictionsCamionnage.asp. » (translation in comments below)
“When one studies the map one sees no reason for a truck to avoid taking Routes 410, 143 and 147 to travel towards communities to the east of North Hatley; there is no route that the truck can then take until it re-joins Route 143. Route 108 is, by the Ministry’s definition, is “sinueuse et étroite”. To leave Route 410 and follow routes 216 and 108 to then return to Route 143 makes no sense. By the Ministry’s reply, it would seem that any truck is free to leave the shortest, straightest route to its destination and to meander along rural roads, creating safety hazards for the young and the elderly, cyclists and pedestrians, creating noise and air pollution through acceleration and braking, and blocking traffic as it negotiates tight intersections. One can see no economic benefit to any community by these actions.
“It was good, then, to hear that, to ensure that the correct steps are taken to solve this issue, the Ministère de Transport du Québec stated « .. les citoyens sont invités à faire part de leur problématique à leur municipalité afin que celle-ci évalue le bien-fondé de la demande pour l’ensemble de ses citoyens. Dans un deuxième temps, si la demande semble justifiée et bénéfique pour la majorité de la population, le conseil municipal prépare une résolution qu’il achemine au Ministère pour analyse et recommandation. » (translation in comments below)
“Mayor Page has informed us that the next step will be a discussion in Council on this matter. FANHCA is prepared to work with the administration to see this happen.”
n.b. écrit par Brian Merrett en août, 2019. On avance ..
Veuillez noter qu’une pétition a été rédigée et sera diffusée sous peu sur FANHCA. Il est impératif que la majorité de la population vivant sur ou à proximité de la route 108 à North Hatley et dans le canton de Hatley la signe si nous voulons agir. Merci!
Please note that a petition has been drafted and will circulate on FANHCA shortly. It is imperative that the majority of the population living on or near Route 108 in both North Hatley and the Canton de Hatley sign it if we are to expect action. Thank you!
ONLINE TRANSLATIONS
“We have taken note of your comments and questions regarding truck traffic in North Hatley. However, by virtue of its mission, the Ministry of Transport must ensure access to a road network allowing the free movement of goods and the development of economic activities while taking into account the safety of the public. Route 108 is classified as a transit collector road and is part of the Quebec trucking network. The objective of this network is to maintain a fair balance between the needs associated with economic development and the imperatives of protection of the road network, mobility and safety of all road users. The trucking network therefore aims to direct heavy vehicles to the most appropriate road network. For more information on the Quebec trucking network, you can consult the Atlas des transports du Québec at http://transports.atlas.gouv.qc.ca/Marchandises/MarchRestrictionsCamionnage.asp “
“ .. citizens are invited to share their problem with their municipality so that it can assess the merits of the request for all of its citizens. Secondly, if the request seems justified and beneficial for the majority of the population, the municipal council prepares a resolution which it sends to the Ministry for analysis and recommendation.”
Excellent! We have been saying this for years, especially after several loss of control accidents at the bottom of 108 and Magog Rd. Elimination of heavy, non essential, trucks on the 108 will make a significant difference in our quality of life in the village.