EDMONTON — An Edmonton trucking company is facing millions of dollars in fines for allegedly carrying loads over the allowed weight limit.
The company has been charged over $3 million in fines for allegedly illegally transporting 7,422 tons of extra soil during 1907 trips to a waste management facility on Yellowhead Trail and 170th Street during a one month period.
“While this is a substantial file, public safety and road safety is our primary concern,” said Const. Dave Beattie, EPS Commercial Vehicle Inspection Detail.
“Our roadways can be destroyed with these overweight vehicles. It also takes longer to stop or apply the brakes with a heavy load, which could lead to a serious collision.”
During the 1,907 trips between Aug. 15 to Sept. 19, trucks were over at least one ton on each visit.
One truck was recorded being 17.9 tons, or 17,900 kg, overweight — the equivalent of 11 Toyota Camry cars.
Police said the average truck in this scenario is allowed to carry 55,300 kg. The heaviest load investigators recorded was 73,280 kg, which resulted in a $9,674 fine.
Police have not released the name of the company, but Global News has confirmed it is A B Gill Trucking Ltd. When contacted by phone, the company said it had no comment on the charges. Alberta Justice confirms the person named in the charges is Avtar Gill.
The Edmonton trucking company faces over 1,900 charges under the Traffic Safety Act for operating overweight vehicles, with the exact fine amounting to $3,042,719. The company is due in court on Dec. 3, 2015.