Highway conditions common concern

January 16 2008

The issue of road maintenance on our Provincial highways is again a very common concern being raised with me.

There is no question the workers employed maintaining our roads are dedicated and skilled but there is a consistent stream of complaints about what appears to be a reduction in the level of service which is affecting the safety of our highways. 

In our area we learn how to drive on winter roads but we rely on those roads to be dependably and adequately maintained. 

British Columbia taxpayers pay private highway maintenance contractors over $300 million every year to maintain our highways.  British Columbians expect that job to be done properly, but people tell me that they are not happy with the state of their roads.

Despite all the complaints last winter from the Regional District, local governments, trucking associations, Chambers of Commerce and many individuals, the Minister of Transportation claims that maintenance contractors are meeting the necessary standard for road maintenance.  When contractors meet these standards they receive a bonus, a bonus that most constituents do not think they deserve.

Many people in our area feel either the standard set by the Ministry simply are not high enough, or the true state of the highways is not being properly reported.

I am pushing the government to review the standards that are in place, but constituents need to take the time to report road conditions. 

The Minister of Transportation needs to hear your concerns about your safety when you travel.  The Minister’s email address is minister.transportation@gov.bc.ca and you should also c.c. to my office at norm.macdonald.mla@leg.bc.ca.

Also contact the contractor in your area and register your concerns; in the north you can contact HMC, and in the south Mainroads. 

If more of you speak out you will make it much more difficult for the Minister to claim that the roads in our area are just fine and that the standards he has set for road maintenance is adequate.  You have the ability to make a difference.