(August 9, 2021) – Barry Petten, PC Opposition Shadow Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure and MHA for Conception Bay South, is calling on Government to immediately address traffic concerns related to ongoing culvert replacements on the Trans-Canada Highway.

“My office has been inundated with calls and messages wondering why the culvert replacement of the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 1.5 kilometres east of the Witless Bay line has shut down. Travelers are having to line up and crawl through two lanes instead of four, while the site is shut down,” said Petten.

Petten has heard from constituents who drove through the significant traffic diversion Friday afternoon at 2pm and the work site was mothballed. While equipment is on site, nothing was done over weekend and early morning commuters did not seen any activity again this morning.

“The Department seems to believe work can only be done during peak commuting hours, rather than on evenings and weekends where the general public would be less inconvenienced. It’s not right and creating headaches for everyone involved,” said Petten.

“Where else in the country can you tear up the Trans-Canada Canada Highway and leave it unfinished for days at a time?”

This is the latest in a string of issues coming from Transportation and Infrastructure including a litany of complaints about ferry service, says Petten.

“Why is work shut down in the middle of the day? Why is the contractor not working full daylight hours or weekends?” said Petten.

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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