Notice to residents: oversized and overweight load movements planned through Lower West Side

The City of Saint John has been informed of planned overweight and/or oversized load movements from the Port’s Lower West terminal to the IPP pulp mill area between June 1 and June 19. Approximately 101 loads are expected to move during this period. Most will travel using Highway 1. Approximately 30 loads are expected to use a Lower West Side route, subject to required approvals.

The City does not regulate or approve this type of movement. Required permissions and approvals rest with the appropriate provincial and operational authorities, including approval from the Province of New Brunswick’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for use of provincial infrastructure.

City staff have been engaged with the parties involved, including the Province, the Port, the transport company, industrial partners and the Saint John Police Force, to better understand the proposed route, timing, approval requirements and potential impacts.

 TIMING

For the movements using the Lower West Side route, the following details have been provided:

• Movements are planned to occur Monday to Friday
• Movements are expected to take place twice daily, between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Police escorts will be required
• Temporary parking restrictions will be required along portions of the route

ON-STREET PARKING IMPACTS

To allow the large loads to move safely, the public is asked not to park on the south side of Ludlow Street from Prince Street to King Street West, or on the east side of King Street West from Ludlow Street to 246 King Street West, during the scheduled movement times. Vehicles parked in these areas during the restricted times may interfere with the movements and may be towed.

Director of External Relations Lisa Kennedy says, “Our focus is on public safety, minimizing disruption to residents and road users, and ensuring affected residents and businesses receive as much advance notice as possible. We recognize the concerns residents in the Lower West Side have raised about truck traffic and industrial impacts, and we are working to ensure these movements are communicated clearly and managed as safely as possible.”

The City has requested appropriate traffic control, police escort coordination, advance notice to affected residents and businesses, and measures to assess and protect municipal infrastructure before and after the movements.

Residents are also advised that separate provincial highway work on the west side of the Harbour Bridge may overlap with the proposed move schedule and could contribute to additional traffic impacts in the area.