Joyce calls on government to re-instate maintenance depots and change snow clearing policy in the budget

Eddie Joyce, Opposition Transportation and Works Critic and MHA for the District of Bay of Islands, is calling upon government to invest in snow clearing services in this year's budget and change their policy which clearly states that equipment is to be removed from the province's highways at 9:30pm, regardless of weather conditions. Currently, the policy manual in the Department of Transportation and Works states that snow clearing equipment is to be removed from the highways between 9:30pm and 6:00am. Joyce is also calling on government to re-open maintenance depots to year round operations.

"The current policy of removing snow clearing equipment from the province's highways during the overnight hours is certainly flawed," said Mr. Joyce. "There are many people who work late hours or arrive on early morning flights and have no other choice but to travel the province's highways late at night. The safety of these individuals should not be compromised because of a policy that is outdated and needs to be improved.

"I have raised this issue several times over the past number of months, but government has refused to acknowledge this as a critical safety issue. With the budget only weeks away, I believe an investment should be made that will see 24 hour snow clearing when weather conditions warrant such a service. Minister Hickey has stated that the number of travelers during the overnight hours does not warrant such an investment. I believe the people of Newfoundland and Labrador feel that their safety is worth the money.

"I am also calling on government to re-instate year round maintenance depots. In 2005, government announced that it was closing 13 highways depots across the province during the summer months in an effort to save money. Since this announcement, preventative maintenance programs have suffered and laid off employees have indicated that roads are deteriorating because regular maintenance is not being undertaken.

"Unless these issues get the proper level of attention from this government, I feel the safety of the motoring public remains at risk of a serious accident. There are lots of goodie announcements being made in this election budget, I suggest government address this issue of safety before throwing cash at everything else."

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477