‘Falls on deaf ears’: Cumberland House council frustrated with state of Highway 123

Favel told northeastNOW the situation has led to the Saskatchewan Health Authority issuing a memo to the village that they are stopping ambulance service due to the poor state of the road. However, they are offering air ambulances over the weekend if there is a need.

The road has a weight restriction, which is affecting deliveries of food and fuel.

“It’s come to the point where we may have to have fly-in food source from our local northern store, we may have to have them transport through fly-in,” said Favel.

If someone gets stuck on the road, they may be out of luck. Favel said tow trucks are starting to refuse to provide their services because they are at risk of also getting stuck. The medication delivery from Nipawin on Thursday was unable to proceed to the village after becoming stuck in the mud.

(Submitted/Veronica Favel)

Favel said they need assistance and a long-term plan to fix the situation.

“Why do we have to have weight restrictions, you know? Why do we have to be risking going on the road that’s our only way out of our community? Why are we always at risk? Why do we have to take all these measures to access services that are a daily need?”

Favel said Cumberland House is proud to be the oldest established community in Saskatchewan and Western Canada, but they feel it’s beyond time for the village and its residents to have their issues heard.

Mayor McKay said they’ve been in contact with the Minister of Highways and brought up the topic at the SUMA meetings in Regina. However, the appalling road conditions remain, and McKay said it’s like their requests are falling on deaf ears.

“We have (gone) through three ministers that held that position as a Minister of Highways, and they haven’t done anything of trying…fixing our roads,” McKay explained.

Pictures of the road have been sent to the Minister and the Department of Highways. McKay said it’s sad that they’re either stuck in the community or outside of it, unable to bring basic needs like groceries and gas into Cumberland House.

“Even family members can’t visit into our community.”

McKay said they’ve been getting help from other agencies like the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority, but the situation is frustrating. He said the Department of Highways has recommended travelling with caution in the area and not driving on the road at night.

“It all falls on deaf ears,” said McKay.

Favel noted that, to make matters worse, there is no cellular service along that stretch of road, so if anyone is stuck or needs help, they cannot call for help.

“Just another barrier that we’re experiencing.”

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways sent a response to an inquiry about Highway 123 via email:

The Ministry of Highways appreciates the patience and understanding of all motorists using Highway 123 en route to Cumberland House during what’s been a challenging spring for this road, which has made it soft and challenging for traffic until it dries out.

The ministry took the following steps in early May to help improve the gravel portion of Highway 123 south of Cumberland House:

· Temporarily restricted truck weight to 8 tonnes to prevent additional damage to the road. The ministry will work with trucking companies to ensure food, fuel and other key supplies can reach Cumberland House.

· The ministry placed about 130 tonnes (metric tons) – or about 15 truck loads – of rock material to strengthen a 3 km segment of the road south of Cumberland House.

Message boards will be posted advising travelers of the conditions and recommending four-wheel-drive trucks only.

A contractor will be put on site to help pull out motorists, as required.

The ministry will continue to monitor and assess the highway.

Motorists should regularly check the Highway Hotline for the latest available Highway 123 conditions.

During this construction season, the ministry plans to invest $3.3 million to improve Highway 123 south of Cumberland House.

The ministry invested $4.3 million to complete a project in 2019 to improve Highway 123 from Cumberland House to 32 km south. Work involved raising the grade of the road and widening it.

In the last three years, the ministry has invested $2.47 million in maintenance on Highway 123 from its junction of Highway 55 to Cumberland House, which is about 138 km.

–

Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK

by Cam Lee

‘Falls on deaf ears’: Cumberland House council frustrated with state of Highway 123

What's Trending