The Ontario Government is improving road safety along Highway 401 with the opening of a new rest area for commercial vehicles, which will provide a safe area for truck drivers to stop.
After working closely with the Mayors in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario acted quickly to build the new rest area by repurposing a former Truck Inspection Station located on Highway 401 Westbound in Gananoque.
This new rest area will provide a safe place for commercial vehicle drivers to stop and take a break. Rest areas have several road safety benefits including; helping drivers rest and combat fatigue, providing a space for drivers to inspect their vehicles and providing a safe area that allow drivers to wait out poor weather conditions.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that is committed to improving road safety in all parts of the province,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of Transportation. “Adding this rest area is an important step to making this part of the highway safer for all commercial vehicle drivers and road users.”
“I’m pleased Minister Yurek and our government share my long-standing commitment to make the Highway 401 corridor in our region safer for all motorists and to ensure the smooth flow of people and products that is critical to our economy,” said MPP Steve Clark, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “This new rest area to give commercial vehicle drivers a place to take a break – or pull over during dangerous driving conditions – is another important step in our ongoing efforts to improve safety on Highway 401.”
“The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is pleased to see Minister Yurek announce the opening of an additional rest area by repurposing a former Truck Inspection Station,” said Pat Sayeau, Warden, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
“We are pleased that the province considers road safety a priority,” said Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor of Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. “This will provide a safe area for truck drivers to rest and utilize currently unused provincial land. It’s a win-win.”
Quick Facts
The Gananoque rest area includes parking spaces for eight Long Commercial Vehicles.
Commercial vehicles have several options to stop safely along Ontario’s highways, such as any of the ONRoute locations or other private centres that serve commercial trucks.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
