TO: Premier Dunderdale
CC: Minister Davis
CC: Minister McGrath
CC: Towns and Communities of Labrador
Dear Premier,
I am writing with regard to the Trans-Labrador Highway, which today exists in deplorable and unsafe condition. I am asking for the immediate attention of your government to get repairs completed. On the paved highway from the Labrador/Quebec border in L’Anse au Clair to Red Bay, the pavement is completely eroded (with the exception of 10 kilometres that has been re-routed and sections resurfaced in past few years); the remainder of the pavement is filled with deep and gouging holes and dabs of cold patch from previous fix-up jobs. It is dangerous to drivers, especially those who are unfamiliar with the location of big holes in the road.
This needs to be addressed; the amount of traffic through Labrador has doubled and the 40 year old paved road cannot stand up to the heavy loads of industrial equipment and supplies that is coming through. The very least that can be done is to ensure that Labrador has appropriate infrastructure to support the large scale developments we are seeing right now- after all the greatest wealth of these developments is accrued by your government. The Labrador Straits highway re-paving is estimated at $33 million which is probably mush less than what will be spent on Muskrats Falls access roads.
Second, the gravel road especially between Red Bay and the middle depot is completely composed of protruding blast rock, making it hard to travel over, very dangerous and nasty on tires. I get calls every day from people who have loss tires on the road. I myself have lost three in the last two weeks. Many people in Labrador are traveling over this highway. It’s summer; people are vacationing and they can do without the rough and dangerous road and the $500 bills for tires and damages. Right now crushed stone will not stay on this section; it needs to be built up with OM and then stone. I know this section is due to be paved next year but people in Labrador should not have to wait a couple of years. This needs to get done ASAP.I know the contract is awarded for this section of road and I would encourage you to have the contractor place a decent driving surface first. The other section which is extremely bad and needs surfacing is between Mary’s Harbour and Charlottetown junction. These sections of road are older and therefore need more attention. I am asking that this be looked at immediately. I am sure that your Labrador office must be making similar requests for work to be completed.
The third issue pertains to the cuts in the budget for Calcium on Labrador Roads. Instead of cutting this $100,000 for Labrador Roads, you should have increased it and added calcium for roads in Northern Labrador. Not only are the children on the North and South coast harassed by black flies (no spray program), but now they are blinded by dust. They cannot even ride their bike through the little communities. One child was medevac’d out; his breathing and lungs were so bad from the dust. In Cartwright 30% of the residents suffer from asthma and breathing related illnesses. It is so frustrating for Labradorians when you cannot even walk the street due to dust yet so much resource development is occurring all around us.
Fourth, I am very concerned about local road conditions in Labrador West. While the government continues to give out permits for new mining operations, you also have to lead discussions with these companies to partner with the town and the province to keep infrastructure upgraded. Currently in Labrador West, funds are needed for resurfacing the local town roads. I am asking that the province and mining companies’ partner with the towns to ensure this gets completed.
As some point the people of Labrador have to be a priority, not just our resources. Thank you for your time and I will await your response.
Yvonne Jones, MP
Labrador