It’s one of the busiest highways in Alberta, and now some motorists are calling for more to be done about the number of oversize loads driving up and down Highway 63.
“There’s just too many wide loads coming down at one time,” said Len Flese, a construction superintendent who takes Highway 63 to and from Fort McMurray every 10 days.
Everything from pipes to houses are hauled up and down the busy stretch of highway on a daily basis. With the number of semi-trucks and vehicles that already use the highway, Flese is concerned with the increasing number of oversize loads he sees during his travels.
“There used to be five, six at a time,” said Flese, who has used the highway regularly for about 12 years. “But now you get 14 to… I’ve seen 22 (in one day) and that was coming down before Christmas.”
He says the massive loads slow down traffic along Highway 63, and is worried about other motorists becoming impatient. Flese says it’s not unusual to see vehicles attempting to squeeze between oversize hauls and other oncoming vehicles.
“I’ve seen guys get passed and slam on the breaks because there’s another one right in front of them and all of a sudden the whole convoy just stops,” he explained. “I’ve seen people have to move into the shoulder just to avoid being hit.”
He says speeding is also an issue, with motorists sometimes attempting to pass 15 to 20 vehicles at once.
“They just go full boar, balls to the wall, as fast as they can, because they want to get home. Because they figure they’re going to get home 10 minutes quicker. So, they’re flying as fast as they can and it makes the road a lot more dangerous.”
Alberta Transportation issues “superload” permits for loads that are either at or very close to the maximum dimensions of 9 metres high and 7.4 metres wide. The department issued more than 250 of those permits last year, which is 50 more than in 2010.
Alberta Transportation says timing and spacing are considered when permits are issued. Officials expect the pressure will ease once Highway 63 is twinned.
“Once it’s all done, any of the newly twinned sections in the northbound direction, you can take the biggest loads and it will take up that lane and the shoulder lane and leave the left lane free for traffic,” explained Trent Bancarz.
Until twinning of the highway is complete, RCMP are urging motorists to slow down and share the road.
“If you’re encountering this type of load from the rear, the suggestion is to slow down and make sure that you are in a safe position so that other vehicles can see you. If you’re approaching it from head-on, again, also slow down and make sure you move to the side so that there’s enough clearance,” explained Constable Christina Wilkins.
Flese is worried if people don’t slow down and pay attention, it will lead to more accidents.
“You’ve got to be patient, if you’re not, it’s not going to work.”
Alberta Transportation is warning motorists about an upcoming transport of a “massively huge” container which will be heading from Edmonton to Fort McMurray beginning Tuesday, February 26.
The vessel, which weighs as much as 290 pickup trucks and is nearly twice the length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, will travel north during the day at a speed of about 25 kilometres per hour, with pilot vehicles in front and behind it.
The convoy will pull over to let traffic pass when possible but, officials are urging motorists to drive with caution and patience.
Motorists are being asked to select alternate routes, if possible, based on the convoy’s travel schedule, which is outlined below:
With files from Laurel Clark.
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