2021-10-13

Province’s Off-Highway Vehicle pilot extended

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) drivers will be able to continue lawfully accessing trail connections in designated areas thanks to an extension of the province's Off-Highway Vehicle Pilot Project.

"We want to encourage safe and responsible use of off-highway vehicles," Public Works Minister and Queens MLA Kim Masland said in a media release issued by the Public Works department October 1.

"This extension allows enhanced trail connectivity to continue while an evaluation of the pilot is completed. The results will help inform decisions about the rules and conditions associated with OHVs accessing highways," she said.

Launched in 2018, the three-year project introduced enhanced trail connectivity in seven pilot communities across the province, including New Germany, Porters Lake, Weymouth, Walton, Sherbrooke, Gabarus and Ship Harbour.

The pilot was scheduled to end October 2, 2021.

The new, two-year extension will allow the province to evaluate results collected to date to inform a permanent solution for safely allowing OHVs to be on portions of roadways.

Safety continues to be paramount and drivers must follow rules and signage and ensure they have a valid driver's licence and that their OHVs are registered and insured, according to the release.

Through the pilot, riders are permitted to safely access the shoulders of roadways and roadways themselves, where necessary at specific locations. The intent is to make it easier to safely travel from one trail to another and to access facilities such as gas stations.

The pilot communities were selected based on factors such as trail connections, traffic volumes, sight lines and posted speed limit.