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NAPE: Government must react to online survey about road conditions

Online survey by Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) found that Newfoundland and Labrador has the dubious distinction of having five of the top 10 worst roads in the region.

Saint John's (30 April 2012) - Carol Furlong, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), says the provincial government should take immediate action in response to an online survey that puts Newfoundland and Labrador in a negative light.

An online survey by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) asked drivers to vote for the worst roads in Atlantic Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador has the dubious distinction of having five of the top 10 worst roads in the region, according to the survey’s results.

“This survey has cast the limelight on what the residents in many parts of this province have been saying for years – road conditions are disgraceful and the situation is worsening due to inaction,” said Furlong.

“Immediate and sustained action must be taken by government to address the dreadful road conditions that exist across our province, particularly in rural areas.”

"Government's investment in highway infrastructure has to be protected with a regular maintenance program,” said Furlong."Yet highway depots continue to close and highway workers laid off, even though roads clearly require upkeep and maintenance year-round. Closing highway depots is counterproductive to responding to the results of the survey and addressing the need to make the roads safe and travel worthy.”

“Residents in every corner of the province deserve to have access to roads that are well maintained and safe. Anything short of that is unacceptable,” stated Furlong.

Furlong said NAPE/NUPGE is calling on the minister of transportation and works to keep highway depots open for the summer months to help maintain roads and provide the travelling public with greater safety.

More information:

CAA - 2012 Top Ten Worst Roads within Atlantic Canada are

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