CanadaImmigrants.com British Columbia Desk - INCREASED WEIGHTLIMITS FOR TRUCKS CREATES LOCAL JOBS STEWART Commercial trucks will soon beallowed to haul larger mining loads from the Yukon south along Highway 37 tothe Port of Stewart, benefiting both the environment and the local economy,announced Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond today. Shipping outof the Port of Stewart will allow the economic benefits to remain in BritishColumbia, specifically the communities of Stewart and Dease Lake said Bond. Allowing larger, more efficient trucks will reduce the number of vehicleson the road, cut transportation costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions andmaintain our provincial highway system, by reducing pavement damage. Mining is a driving force inB.C. s economy, generating new investment and jobs for British Columbians, said Minister of State for Mining Randy Hawes. The new bulk haul program isanother example of how the Province is working with industry and stakeholders,to create jobs, support the mining industry and reduce greenhouse gasemissions. Under the bulk haulprogram, shipping companies can enter into agreements with the Province tooperate trucks that comply with axle weight limits, but exceed gross vehicleweight restrictions. Beginning in June, Yukon Zinc Corp. will be the first company totake advantage of the new program, by transporting zinc, copper and leadconcentrate along Highway 37 from the Wolverine Mine in the Yukon through tothe Port of Stewart, instead of shipping it to the Port of Skagway in Alaska.The vehicle being used for this haul will have a gross vehicle weight of 72,300kilograms, up from 63,500 kilograms, which will reduce the number of trips by17 per cent. The bulk haulprogram is the result of a tremendous amount of effort and co ordinationbetween the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, industry andstakeholders. On behalf of Yukon Zinc Corporation, we extend our sincere thanksto the contribution made by everyone involved, said Raymond Mah, chief operatingofficer of Yukon Zinc Corporation. The new bulk haul program isexpected to create 50 full time driver and mechanic jobs in the communities ofStewart and Dease Lake, in addition to several port worker positions. T he program has the potential to expand to other appropriate routesaround the province where larger mining loads would be permissible, and isavailable to any mining company that wishes to enter into an agreement with theMinistry of Transportation and Infrastructure. I would like to welcome Yukon Zinc toour community and extend our warmest welcome to Maple Leaf Loading, who will behauling the ore for Yukon Zinc through our port. This haul would not have beenpossible without the hard work and efforts made by the Ministry ofTransportation and Infrastructure in keeping jobs in a B.C. community, saidDistrict of Stewart Mayor Angela Brand Danuser. NorthernDevelopment Initiative Trust is providing Maple Leaf Loading Ltd with a directjob creation incentive valued at up to $440,000 to support creation oftransportation sector employment in northwest B.C. The vehicles onthe Yukon Zinc haul will operate under certain conditions, including: Vehicles are restricted to specified highways. Each truck must have an onboard electronicdevice to record driver hours of service and vehicle speed. Drivers must have a minimum of 100,000kilometres driving experience on similar highways with similar equipment, havepassed a professional driver course, and have an accident free driving recordfor the past two years. Across northernBritish Columbia alone this year, over $200 million has been committed to 70new and ongoing highway projects that are expected to create over 1,200 jobs.This brings the total transportation investment in the North since 2001 02 to$1.5 billion. As
reported in the news.
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