(September 23, 2022, St. John’s) – Loyola O’Driscoll, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure and MHA for Ferryland, says he’s heard the concerns of mayors and residents around our province about vulnerable infrastructure, long overdue for repair, now facing the challenge of Hurricane Fiona.

“Trepassey had significant damage two weeks ago which cut off a part of the town. My colleague, Tony Wakeham, has expressed concern over damage to the road to Fox Island River months ago which has not been repaired. Now, the Mayor of Port au Basques has spoken out about damage done almost a year ago which has not been repaired,” said O’Driscoll.

O’Driscoll noted these areas are bracing for yet another hurricane composing wind, heavy rain, and storm surge and one can only hope they will hold up.

“It is just not good enough that Government has applications to complete repairs which are sitting on a desk, while Transportation and Infrastructure have not moved to reinforce and protect provincial roads from further damage. I really fear there will be communities cut off after Fiona passes,” said O’Driscoll.

“The best way to weather a storm is to prepare for it. The Furey Government has not prepared these vulnerable areas for a storm of this scale. It falls to residents to be prepared for an emergency situation and we can only hope these vulnerable areas can weather the storm.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca