By Tyler Waugh / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Town of Aquaforte has called out the provincial government for what it calls a continued lack of action on brush cutting and moose vehicle mitigation along the Southern Shore Highway.
The June 24 letter, sent to Premier Tony Wakeham and Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, as well as the ministers of Transportation and Forestry comes after two Bay Bulls residents were killed when their motorcycle collided with a moose on the evening of June 23.
“Another two lives were tragically lost a few nights ago as a result of a moose-vehicle collision. This follows a fatal moose accident in our community only a few years ago. Our residents are devastated, and our Town is once again reeling alongside families affected by these preventable tragedies,” reads the letter written by Town Clerk/Manager Aaron Croft on behalf of council.
“The absence of meaningful action by the Provincial Government on brush cutting and related safety measures along this highway is, at this stage, nothing short of negligent. Moose sightings on this stretch of road are constant, and daily reports of near misses have become routine. The danger is well-known, well-documented and entirely unacceptable.”
A little more than three years ago another person died on a nearby stretch of Highway 10 in Aquaforte when a motorcycle collided with a moose.
The letter did thank the Province for assistance provided to date but expressed concern and “profound frustration” that the situation has now escalated beyond what the community can reasonably tolerate.
The Town is asking MHA O’Driscoll to advocate for immediate, decisive action.
While the council is expressing frustration over years of inaction when it comes to brush cutting in the community, O’Driscoll and his Progressive Conservative colleagues only took over government in November, following 11 years of Liberal administration.
“We cannot afford another needless tragedy,” reads council’s letter. “Our residents deserve safe roadways, and the families affected deserve to know that their losses have prompted real change.”
