City to monitor out-of-town trucks on parkways

Council has approved a pitch by Coun. Sam Merulla to set up cameras to monitor how many out-of-town trucks use the Red Hill and Linc as a “shortcut” through the city. The city will spend $16,000 to set up cameras to capture truck licence plates with an eye to making a case to the province for more road maintenance cash. In the past, Merulla has also pitched tolls for non-local truck traffic on the parkways, which are locally owned but often used like 400-series highways. The province has reacted coolly to such requests, but the councillor argued the city should be ready to negotiate. The cameras will be at key ramps along the 403, the Linc and Red Hill.