What is a Truck Route Master Plan?

    The Truck Route Master Plan explores opportunities to advance the safe and efficient movement of trucks in Hamilton, to support economic activities and the delivery of goods while balancing the needs of residents and communities. The final master plan will recommend an updated truck route network and will outline supporting policies and strategies to assist the City in managing it over the next 5 to 10 years.

    Why does the City of Hamilton need a Truck Route Master Plan?

    The City of Hamilton Council approved a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update that highlights the significance of a reliable goods movement network and freight-supportive land uses for Hamilton’s economic growth and prosperity. The Truck Route Master Plan (TRMP) is being developed to support the overall TMP as well as the City’s overall vision “To be the best place to raise a child and age successfully”.

    Where are trucks allowed to drive in the City of Hamilton?

    The truck route network applies to any vehicle or trailer for which the total weight is in excess of 4500 kilograms (excepting buses, firefighting equipment, public utility vehicles, and other authorized emergency vehicles). 

    The City of Hamilton currently uses a hybrid truck route signing system, using both permissive and restrictive truck route signing. This involves using permissive (green circle) truck route trailblazing signs, showing which roads to use, supported by restrictive truck route signs (red “NO” symbol) at critical locations to reinforce which streets are not part of the truck route system. Trucks are permitted to travel off of the designated truck route, following the shortest permissible route, to or from a destination. 

    How does the City of Hamilton decide where to put a truck route?

    It starts with a review of the existing truck route network, and the current and expected truck route-related problems as a result of an increase in trucking activities due to anticipated growth.

    The types of considerations to be applied in assessing potential changes to the network may include:

    • Optimizing the movement of commercial traffic;
    • Minimizing the number of sensitive areas located along the network;
    • Improving public health & safety, especially in higher risk neighbourhoods; 
    • Avoiding roadways not built for truck traffic; and
    • Addressing or avoiding road sections and intersections with historical safety issues.

    Who is the City of Hamilton consulting with to develop the Truck Route Master Plan?

    The City of Hamilton is consulting with:

    • Representatives of the community (both urban and rural), education, environmental, social equity, active transportation and health care sectors
    • The goods movement community (port, airport, and trucking association)
    • The business community (BIAs and Chamber of Commerce)
    • The surrounding municipalities and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario
    • The public