MTO signaled the introduction of its next phase of the Long Combination Vehicles (LCV) Program, which includes eliminating certain caps on the number of LCV units per fleet, new vehicle configurations and several highway network expansions.
In a recent letter to OTA, the ministry highlighted some of the changes to the LCV Program:
- The expansion of the primary highway network (to include Hwy 403, Hwy 407 E and Hwy 412 as well as Hwy 400 to Parry Sound);
- The removal of the cap on the number of permits available to each carrier (previously 16);
- The removal of the cap on the number of carriers in the program (previously 100);
- The introduction of two new vehicle configurations (for transporting vehicles and container chassis);
- The expansion to 5 km the distance LCV’s can travel off the primary highway network to access shipper and carrier facilities (previously 2 km).
“OTA, MTO and the carriers in the program have been working for a while to bring about these enhancements. We are extremely pleased with today’s announcement and commend Minister Del Duca and his staff for working with OTA to develop a sustainable LCV program in the province,” said Geoff Wood, OTA Vice President, Operations and Safety.
Ontario’s LCV program started in 2009 and was the result of a multiyear collaborative effort between industry and the province to introduce these configurations.
“Over the years, the number of permits and carriers has increased. However, this most recent update has removed many of the restrictions that have held the program back from flourishing in the province,” added Wood.
MTO will be contacting LCV carrier participants shortly with additional details on the program expansion and updated network maps.
For complete details of Ontario’s LCV program in English and French, please see the following links: