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Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the
District of Bay of Islands, rose in the House of Assembly this afternoon to
highlight serious issues concerning the lack of quality road maintenance and
snow-clearing services in the province as the winter driving season begins.
"The lives of the people of this province are at risk due to the changes in
road maintenance policy by the Williams government," said Joyce. "The impact
of highway depot closures over the summer season and the late recall of
winter maintenance personnel are evidenced in the lack of available
equipment and operators at this time.
"There are at least 19 positions vacant at this time and all workers have
not yet been recalled from layoff. Equipment that would normally be used on
the roadways for snow and ice control is still broken down because parts and
maintenance crews were not available in a timely manner to prepare for the
winter season."
Joyce asked the Minister of Transportation and Works in the House of
Assembly for details of an accident report submitted by a supervisor
concerning a recent incident on the Argentia Access Road. "There were
conflicting messages about the state of the highway at the time of that
incident and a public release of that report may lead to a necessary change
in government policy. The Minister was absent from the House today and I ask
that upon his return that this report be made public.
"Until government is willing to take these concerns seriously and examine
road maintenance policies, the people of the province may be at risk. A
review of highway maintenance policy would likely reveal that winterization
of depots was a mistake, highway workers should be in place earlier and
equipment maintenance completed before the start of the winter season. The
current Minister must first acknowledge that there are problems that must be
addressed and act upon them as soon as possible."
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