HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — A group of citizens concerned about the extension of a road in Happy Valley-Goose Bay has amassed over 400 signatures on a petition to get the town to revisit the project.
Jamie Abbass, one of the petition's organizers, said they’ve gotten much support from the community and hopes it can convince the town to change or delay the project.
The town is planning to extend Kelland Drive, a major arterial route through town, at a cost of over $2 million. When residents who live nearby were informed, they expressed concerns over the proposed route and its possible impacts
"I feel (the town has) a plan, an agenda and they want to make it work at all costs." — Jamie Abbass
A public consultation was held on the project in March, where the town presented different options. Following that, residents were informed one of the alternate options would be used. But this raised further concerns, which culminated in a second meeting in late June. Abbass said the original issues — such as lack of a buffer zone, dust control, and the impact on existing trails in the area — haven’t really been addressed.
“I don’t feel like they’re doing their homework. I feel they have a plan, an agenda and they want to make it work at all costs,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Bert Pomeroy told SaltWire he understands the residents’ concerns.
“They have good, valid concerns, I’m not disputing that,” he said. “At the same time, we have to be mindful of other issues
"There’s an issue with trails in the area, I get that, but we have to live within our fiscal means. If it was feasible to move it a kilometre back and if we had the money for that, we would, but we have to live within the means we have.
He said the current proposed route and road upgrades will cost about $2,122,463, the majority covered by $2 million from the federal and provincial governments. The town will pay the remainder. However, Pomeroy said the town isn’t able to invest more money than that into the project.
“We can’t pull it out of the air,” he said. “We were in a situation last year where we had to increase the mil rate slightly to meet our budgets. It’s not an easy situation.
"You want to please everybody, but you can’t.”
If it was feasible to move it a kilometre back and if we had the money for that, we would, but we have to live within the means we have." — Deputy mayor Bert Pomeroy
Abbass said he thinks if the town can’t afford to do the amended work this year, they should look at other options, such as doing the project in stages or re-evaluating other budget items. He’s also skeptical the route his group would like to see, which would move the road further from the homes and not damage the trails, would cost much more.
“All we’re asking is for the consultant to look at it and put a dollar figure on it,” he said. “Then, if we’re not that far apart, look at tendering that. (But) it seems like they won’t hear us on that.”
Evan Careen is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Labrador for SaltWire Network
