BAIE VERTE, N.L. — The melting snow combined with warming temperatures is a combination that isn’t welcomed by roads in this province.
It is a combination that leads to dozens of potholes dotting roads akin to a case of the asphalt measles.
Normally, now is a time when towns will start work on their own roads to fill the holes as the province gears up to address its stretches of highway as asphalt plants begin to open.
“The roads have deteriorated big time." — La Scie Mayor Kim Morey
However, the restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic have put off those repairs and replacements for an unknown amount of time.
On the Baie Verte Peninsula, that means municipalities and the residents they represent will have to suffer less-than-ideal road conditions for the time being.
“The roads have deteriorated big time,” La Scie Mayor Kim Morey says.
Morey says this year’s crop of potholes on highways and bridges in the area seem to be worse than usual, and she has heard from plenty of residents who have damaged rims or hubcaps.
“You have to hit your car (in a pothole),” she said. “You can’t help it.”
Baie Verte Fire Chief Lorne Head shares similar concerns.
Time is important to emergency first responders, and the road conditions on the peninsula can cause Head and his firefighters to slow down on accident calls.
“You can’t do damage (to the pumper) trying to get there and then you don’t show up your own self,” said Head. “You have to try and get there as safely as you can for your crew and everyone else, while taking it easy on the vehicles and not beat them to pieces.
“Those vehicles have to last 25 to 30 years.”
On his Facebook page, Baie Verte-Green Bay MHA Brian Warr assured constituents that the provincial government is aware of the issues in the area and would repair potholes on the highways in the region as conditions allow.
Each year, the province generates a list of provincial roads that will see attention over the summer months. This year’s includes the completion of paving and the replacement of guardrails on Seal Cove Road, as well the replacement of culverts on routes 410, 411, 412, 413, 414 and 419, which are all on the Baie Verte Peninsula.
Tenders for these projects have been issued and are expected to close this month, but the pandemic has called into question when the projects will start.
“The department continues to complete highway maintenance repairs, such as fixing potholes and road shoulders, based on priority and the safety of the travelling public,” a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Works stated in an email. “The safety of workers and stopping the spread of the virus is a factor for roadwork this year. Work will proceed when it is safe to do so.
“When work proceeds, all contractors will be required to follow all workplace recommendations related to COVID-19 and road crews will be adjusting to these new requirements.”
Nicholas Mercer is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Central Newfoundland for Saltwire Network
