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Anna Thistle, MHA for the District of Grand Falls-Buchans, called upon the
Minister of Transportation and Works in the House of Assembly Thursday to
carry out much-needed road work on the Buchans highway.
"I am very concerned that there was no money allotted in this year’s
budget for that road," said Thistle. "The Buchans highway is already in a
deplorable and unsafe condition. With $60 million in the provincial roads
program, and a $76.5 million surplus left on the table, this substandard
road should have been a top priority with this government."
The Liberal MHA says she was hopeful the road work would have been viewed
as urgent for government, since the new Duck Pond mine near Millertown will
be in full operation this fall. "Approximately 200 permanent employees,
heavy equipment and ordinary citizens will be traveling that stretch on a
daily basis. I truly fear for people’s safety and the road will obviously
continue to deteriorate in the coming months.
"The Government does not seem to appreciate the serious safety issues
here, nor the significant value of the mine in Millertown and the Barite
plant in Buchans to the provincial economy."
Thistle challenged the minister to travel over the highway so he may get
a first-hand experience of the poor state of this stretch of the highway. "
I also offered to show him pictures that highlight some of the worst patches
but he showed no interest. Just this week, I received a call from a resident
of Buchans who was worried that the intravenous hookup in her husband’s arm
was going to become dislodged while being transported by ambulance to the
hospital in Grand Falls-Windsor. If that story doesn’t cause the minister
and this government some degree of concern, then what will?"
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