By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Folks in Petty Harbour – Maddox Cove should soon see some new pavement along Main Road and Long Run Road, based on a recent correspondence put out by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
During the June 15 public meeting, however, councillor Nancy Bungay raised concerns about timing of the paving project and the potential impact of all the heavy truck traffic that will be associated with the upcoming harbour breakwater project slated for a potential start date this year and completion sometime in 2027.
“They are doing a breakwater, we are getting a new road … soft new pavement and all these heavy massive trucks driving over brand-new pavement, is this going to impact it? Are (Transportation and Infrastructure officials) aware that this is happening?” Bungay asked. “In my opinion that is just as bad as cutting pavement.”
Mayor Ed Dyke believed that Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll was aware, but that when it came to government officials, he didn’t know.
“From my understanding, the road they are replacing is supposed to stand up to that, it’s supposed to be the same as the Trans Canada Highway, but I guess that’ll have to be a battle we take on when it happens,” Dyke said.
Dyke asked staff to send out another reminder to residents about the Transportation and Infrastructure notice, with Dinn responding that they would do so within the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, the town recently notified resident by email and social media that the department will not be allowing cross-cutting or cutting into pavement for two years following the installation of the new pavement.
Town CAO Mandy Dinn brought the matter forward during the June 15 council meeting.
“I just wanted to bring it to council’s attention and to residents’ attention that if anybody plans to hook into sewer or water within the next little while it is recommended to do it as soon as possible to avoid the two-year timeframe where they are not going to be permitting you to do so,” said CAO Dinn, adding that she also sent a copy of the notification off to the town’s engineer.
Deputy Mayor Irene Stack assumed that the moratorium would not apply to water main breaks or other emerging situations that cannot wait two years. Dinn confirmed that it only applies to planned projects.
