Arthur St. weight restrictions a no-go for Santorelli's Truck Stop

Superior Morning4:19Transport Truck Traffic

A business on the far west side of Arthur Street had some concerns about a proposed weight restriction for trucks along the roadway. We'll hear why Santorelli's truck stop is so concerned.

A business along West Arthur Street, just past Thunder Bay city limits, has concerns if the city implements a weight restriction along the road.

Santorelli's Truck Stop is opposed to the change, saying it would impact its customers, and the surrounding businesses that depend on trucks.

Company comptroller Lorne Kellar said lowering the speed limit to either 70 or 80 kilometres an hour would be a better move.

"It truly wouldn't have that negative of an effect,” he said.

“We believe that, if we reduce it any further, that it would increase accidents. It's a busy corridor, and the traffic wants to move."

This past summer, city council asked administration to look into creating a weight restriction for large vehicles along Arthur Street.

A traffic study showed more trucks were using the roadway as an access into the city. The report noted that truck traffic increased over the past six years, while regular traffic has decreased.

But, according to a lawyer representing Santorelli's Truck Stop, his client opposes any changes along Arthur Street.

"Any weight restriction is going to create a chilling effect on the truck traffic,” Daniel Matson said.

“[If] any truck traffic sees a sign that, at some point, there's going to be a weight restriction, they're going to avoid the corridor altogether."

During a council meeting Monday night, Mayor Keith Hobbs said he opposes the weight restriction due to the concerns of businesses in the Highway 130 and Arthur Street area.

A decision on what to do about speeds, weight, or creating a designated truck route could be addressed in a transportation master plan next year.

Notes about the proposed weight limit

• The weight restriction would be in place from 25th Sideroad to Highway 61 along West Arthur Street, with exemptions for local deliveries etc.
• The city limit is at 25th Sideroad. Technically, the weight restriction would not be in place where Santorelli's Truck Stop is located.
• The city could not get Ministry of Transportation permission to put up signs along Highway 61 warning of the weight restriction.
• The Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge also declined to put up a sign, making it impossible to enforce any sort of bylaw.