News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The trucking industry is transporting goods more easily and efficiently thanks to a new co-operative agreement among Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The new agreement will allow drivers of long-combination vehicles (LCVs) to drive in the four provinces.

“We are pleased to be breaking down barriers and ensuring reciprocity among provinces,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “This harmonization will improve the flow of goods between provinces, helping our businesses as they strive to compete and grow.”

LCVs are multiple, tandem trailers on one tractor truck. The memorandum of understanding allows free movement of these longer vehicles between four provinces. These longer vehicles offer shippers a cost-effective option as they can move more goods at one time, reducing fuel consumption and gas emissions.

“LCV’s support our trade corridor development and enhance our integrated multi-modal transportation system in New Brunswick,” said Fraser.

These types of longer vehicles are already in use on four-lane highways, following a pilot project that confirmed the value and safety of having longer trucks on the road. The memorandum of understanding harmonizes the operating conditions and formalizes the agreement.

“Harmonization of long combination vehicle guidelines between provinces is key to making industry more competitive and bringing much-needed efficiencies for carriers,” said Jean-Marc Picard of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. “This is another step forward for the trucking industry.”

In 2015, New Brunswick businesses exported more than $12 billion in merchandise.

The transportation and warehousing industry accounts for about 4.8 per cent of New Brunswick’s real GDP, which is nearly $1.3 billion in economic activity. Truck transportation accounts for more than half of that activity.

In New Brunswick, a long combination vehicle is a truck tractor hauling two or more conventional length trailers with a maximum overall length of 40 metres. LCV movements are highly-controlled and are generally permitted to haul only on designated four-lane highways and from approved locations, although some routes may include a short two-lane section of highway.

More information is available online.