By Brent Bosker

NDP makes noise about state of northern highways

Mar 18, 2011 | 11:07 AM

The state of northern roads in Saskatchewan sparked a debate in the provincial legislature Thursday.

The provincial government came under fire during question period when northern MLA for Athabasca, Buckley Belanger, and Cumberland MLA, Doyle Vermette, criticized the condition of roads in their ridings, saying a lack of action is threatening safety and stifling economic activity that relies on efficient transportation.

Belanger and Vermette pointed to Highways 915, 102, 135, 155, 918, and 123 that serve the communities of Cumberland House, Pelican Narrows, Stanley Mission, La Loche and Patuanak.

“For residents in many of these communities, one crumbling, unsafe highway is the only way in or out of the town,” Belanger said in a news release by the NDP.

Rob Penny, deputy minister for the Ministry of Highways, said crews are continually monitoring Northern roads and are advising contractors where maintenance is needed.

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“Where we need to haul gravel, where do we need to fill potholes, which culverts may need to be unplugged or upgraded.”

In addition to regular maintenance, the government is making large investments to improve transportation in the north, said Penny.

“Such as Highway 155 around the Beauval area, we do in fact plan to do a considerable amount of work upwards of around $6.5 million dollars to upgrade that piece of highway.”

The government also operates and maintains 17 airports to serve the residents of the north, said Penny.

“Spotty maintenance and fixing a pot hole or two doesn’t cut it,” said Vermette.

“People in the North have begun to take advantage of the opportunities that our rich northern resources have brought them. But if it’s not safe to travel to work at a mine or for a company to ship its resources out, that is a huge threat to the economic viability of the North.”

bbosker@panow.com

by Brent Bosker

NDP makes noise about state of northern highways

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