News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

   

 

Sweeney calls upon government to make necessary repairs to roads

May 2, 2006

George Sweeney, MHA for the District of Carbonear-Harbour Grace, says the conditions of some sections of roads in his district are simply not acceptable and he has asked the Minister of Transportation and Works to kick up some gravel on this issue and carry out the much-needed repairs.

One of the roads in desperate need of maintenance is that of Route 70 which passes through Victoria and Salmon Cove. The MHA recently presented a petition, signed by hundreds of constituents, in the House of Assembly to highlight this issue and request that the route be brought up to a proper standard.

"I am encouraging the minister to have a closer look at these deplorable roads," says Sweeney. "The traffic moving over this road includes school buses, commercial trucks and patients on their way to or from the hospital. It is terrible for the travelling public to have to endure the bumps and dips and to maintain costly repairs to their vehicles as a result of this neglect.

"This route is part of the Conception Bay Highway and it has been allowed to deteriorate the past three years. Not only is it annoying and costly to travellers, but there are safety and accident rate factors involved here that also have to be considered."

The MHA has also requested that the government pave Harvey Street in the town of Harbour Grace, which is in a deplorable state causing many residents to voice their concerns about this particular busy street. The lack of street lighting at two intersections on Harvey Street and Veteran’s Memorial Drive also requires attention and action.

"In addition to the petition, I have brought these matters to the attention of the minister to highlight the negligence of these roads. I am now hopeful the minister and his department will accept full responsibility in carrying out the necessary work to bring these roads up to an acceptable condition. Constituents are expecting a positive and a quick response and anything less than that, like the current condition of these roads, will certainly not be acceptable."

 

Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman
Caucus Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6427