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Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the
District of Bay of Islands, is calling upon government to change the policy
of removing snow clearing equipment from the province’s highways between the
hours of 10pm and 5am. Joyce says Transportation and Works Minister Trevor
Taylor should ensure an increased investment is available in the upcoming
budget to keep winter highway maintenance equipment on the roads during
nights when snow and ice are factors. "It is unacceptable to remove snow
clearing equipment from the province’s highways between the hours of 10pm
and 5am, especially if weather conditions are less than ideal," said Mr.
Joyce. "Minister Taylor has suggested that traffic volumes do not warrant 24
hour snow clearing, however, I disagree. Emergency vehicles and people
traveling back and forth to work use the provincial highway system at all
hours of the day. I have received calls from people commuting to work in the
morning who complain that roads are still not cleared from the night before.
The most recent incidents near Grand Falls-Windsor, where motorists believe
road conditions led to accidents, indicate that there is a serious problem
on our highways that needs to be addressed.
"Highway safety should not be compromised in an effort to avoid
increasing the snow clearing budget. Over the past few weeks, we have
witnessed several accidents that may have been avoided if the roads were
cleared properly. It is now obvious that the recent layoff of casual workers
is having an impact as government is not able to keep the province’s
highways clear of snow and ice. If it is a staffing issue, these individuals
should be re-hired to get the work done.
"During the winter months, this province requires 24 hour snow clearing.
Keeping the roads free of snow and ice for five months a year is not too
much to ask. If one accident is prevented because of this initiative, the
investment will be well worth the money. With the budget expected to be
tabled within the next couple of weeks, I am calling upon Minister Taylor to
put this request high on his list of priorities so that the safety of the
people of the province is not further compromised on our provincial
highways."
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