(September 15, 2023, St. John’s) – Loyola O’Driscoll, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MHA for Ferryland, spoke out today about ongoing issues with potholes and brush cutting throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We are into mid-September and many routes have not had pot holes filled and brush cut back from the roadways. Residents are continuing to damage their vehicles while moose hunting season has pushed animals out to roadways, creating a dangerous situation for the travelling public,” said O’Driscoll.

O’Driscoll noted the province still does not have a centralized road maintenance database, years after the Auditor General recommended it in 2017.

“It is laughable the Premier talks about twinning the Trans Canada Highway, when the Government cannot maintain the roads they have now. Rather than grand plans and photo-ops, Government should deal with the issues they have now,” said O’Driscoll.

O’Driscoll noted his colleague Pleaman Forsey, MHA for Exploits, has been inundated with calls and concerns from residents who use Route 350 and 352.

“Unfortunately, the full construction season has almost passed, and there has been no work done on these two important routes. I talked to a gentleman yesterday who is worried the alder branches are going to damage his car because they are so overgrown and coming out onto roadway,” noted Forsey.

“This is a critical matter of public safety and while Government carry’s over millions in unspent road money each year, it is unconscionable they are not doing more to repair our roads and keep people safe.”

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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca