An increase in the number of dump trucks along Quarry Road in northeast Coquitlam has a nearby resident concerned about traffic safety.
Renato Spano, who lives in the area, said the gravel road has a number of narrow points, steep hills and sharp turns, making it treacherous for oncoming vehicles to safely navigate past each other. During a delegation presentation to council on Sept. 19, he asked the city to consider restricting trucks along the route.
“I have become very familiar with the road,” he said. “It can go from relatively good, smooth gravel conditions to extremely rough potholes, sheer ice, flooding, washouts and trees and power lines down.”
The quarry operator, Lehigh Hanson Materials Limited (LHML), already barges out the bulk of its material, using trucks for some deliveries. For example, the company said last week 400 tonnes of aggregate was moved by road, which is the equivalent of 30 truckloads.
Spano said he would like the company to make all of its deliveries by barge, noting that Quarry Road is not capable of handling the increased traffic.
“It isn’t like I am trying to shut their business down,” he told The Tri-City News recently. “They already haul the bulk of their materials out by barge.”
He added that it is not just Quarry Road residents who need to be concerned, noting that the truck traffic will increase on Victoria Drive and Coast Meridian Road as well.
Spano noticed the increase in truck traffic last May and said after phoning city hall, he learned that Coquitlam had recently lifted its 75% load restriction for Quarry Road. According to staff, upgrades to several culverts and bridges along the route meant the restriction was no longer necessary.
Sophie Mullen, the company’s environment and land manager, said allowing trucks to use the road when they are 100% full means fewer vehicles will have to access the route.
“We are committed to ensuring that we continue to be good neighbours who are always keeping the community’s safety and health in mind as we work to mitigate any impacts our operation might have,” she said in an email statement.
Following Spano’s presentation to council, city staff were asked to look at the road to see if any upgrades were necessary to improve traffic safety.
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