Upset in Upham: Road closure stirs anger, election jockeying
Provincial candidates pounce as community complains about culvert project
It's hard to miss the infrastructure project that is causing all the upset in Upham.
Smack in the middle of Route 820 sit large black and orange barriers. A large excavator gnaws at the bed of a brook that flows into the nearby Hammond River.
This scene appeared, as if out of nowhere, on the Tuesday morning after New Brunswick Day, catching residents by surprise.
"They knew it was going to happen, but not when," said Karin Boye, a municipal councillor for the area since it became part of the town of Hampton last year.
"If they had have notified people and said this is going to be done … I don't think the uproar would have been quite as big."
People who normally have a 15 or 20-minute drive into Hampton now face a long detour that doubles the time to about 40 minutes — unless they use Robinson Road, a dirt-road shortcut of dubious drivability, to shave 10 minutes off the longer trip.
Monique Bowes, who lives in nearby Upperton, gave it a go, and suffered a flat tire as a result.
"I don't think it was handled very well at all," she said. "People should have been well aware … before having to scramble."
Child-care arrangements, medical appointments and the local volunteer fire department have all been disrupted by the road closure.
Ticking off New Brunswickers is a bad idea at the best of times, but doing it on the eve of a provincial election – in Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, a constituency that may turn into a close race — is even worse.
"Even though the project is complex and requires time, this does not excuse the poor communication carried out by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure," Minister Richard Ames acknowledged in an Aug. 14 Facebook post.
That was more than a week after three candidates from three political parties jumped on the issue, demanding action in a wave of earnest social media posts.
Green candidate Laura Myers says all candidates want to see better communication in the future. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
"I think the candidates are trying to show that they care about the people in the riding, and they want to act," said Laura Myers, the Green candidate.
"I think that's great and we're all on the same page with this. We all want to see improved communication in the future."
No one is disputing the need to replace the culvert on Route 820.
It's degraded, creating erosion. Putting off the replacement would increase the risk of a disastrous washout if there were an extreme rainfall.
And the project is complex.
Federal rules require the new design to include a fish passage to create new fish habitat — which added to the time required for permitting and for construction.
Liberal candidate John Herron, at the corner of Route 820 and Robinson Road, questions the planning. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
But provincial Liberal candidate John Herron says all of that was foreseeable and could have been taken into consideration with more advance planning and a start earlier in the summer.
Instead, the project began in the first week of August and won't be finished until Sept. 30, meaning schoolchildren taking the bus every morning will be subject to four weeks of longer trips along the detour.
"This project has been on the radar since last November," Herron told CBC News.
"A year is more than ample time to plan, to communicate to the community and to execute the project [in a way] that mitigates the impact and the duration of of the project."
Faytene Grasseschi, the Progressive Conservative candidate in Hampton-Fundy-St. Martins, also got involved.
She turned down an interview request from CBC News but posted Aug. 7 that she was making calls "to people who may be able to get some answers" and would "advocate for those impacted."
Bill Bowes points to the chip in his windshield, which happened when he drove around the construction. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
The province's first response was to quickly order some upgrades to Robinson Road to make it less of a rough drive, though it's still bumpy and uneven.
Herron said that could have been done in advance.
Resident Bill Bowes suffered a chip to his windshield while driving around the crews putting new gravel down.
"All of a sudden, bang, and I said, 'Look at that now,'" he said during a roadside interview at the corner of Route 820 and Robinson Road.
Ames's public Facebook post also included a link to a form that vehicle owners can fill out to apply for compensation for damage.
Herron believes Ames's mea culpa was the result of what he called "old-school" political pressure he applied, including signs he posted with the hashtag "Six weeks is too long for Upham."
Monique Bowes, on Route 820, tried to take a shorter detour and got a flat tire. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
But he also credits local residents.
"The community put a little political pressure on it," he said. "This project has captured the attention of the government."
Myers agreed.
"I think if there hadn't been a community outcry, we probably wouldn't have heard from the minister," she says.
Grasseschi also thanked residents for contacting her and in an email to CBC News noted she'd been able to speak "directly" with Ames, a fellow Progressive Conservative.
The next objective, according to Boye, is to persuade the province to lean on the contractors to work longer hours to finish the project before the current Sept. 30 deadline.
Coun.
Karin Boye, at the road closure, wants the province to persuade
contractors to work longer hours to finish the project on time. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
In his statement, Ames said the department "will make every effort to complete this project ahead of schedule."
The other looming date is the provincial election, scheduled for Oct. 21.
Boye says she doesn't know whether the upset in Upham will affect how residents vote.
"I hope not," she said. "I hope they still vote with their hearts. You know, it has nothing to do with it. It just seems opportune that everybody sort of followed up on it."
At least the community is now firmly on the radar of all the candidates, she added.
"Everybody knows where Upham is."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Why do they fix the roads so it inconveniences me?
Oh, the horror of it all!
Yawn
don't do that.
vote with your head.
gather as much information as you can about the parties, their candidates,
and the issues.
then make an informed decision.
make use of the little democracy we are allowed.
The story involves a much needed project, and locals must have realized there would be some inconveniences while it was being carried out, whenever.
So what's the real story here?
It's just another Poitras article trying to take yet another crack at criticizing the provincial government.
You're still evading the key issues here, and inventing generalized/irrelevant comments to avoid reality; and that reality is that 64% of Canadians rate the rising cost of living as their #1 priority. The #3 priority is housing affordability and accessibility (Abacus poll, August 2024).
The federal government has been responsible for not all, but certainly a significant % of both issues. To deny such is denying the real facts.
Phil Nadeau
Non story here....It takes time, just be patient. I can understand that it's causing pain but it's temporary. They should just appreciate that their road is getting fix.
Daniel Franklin
Don't fix it, people will complain. Fix it, people will complain. Welcome to 2024 where people just like to complain.
Frank Brace
Tempest in a tea pot
Jake Newman
so what project should they have dropped or moved to get to this one quicker??
Jim Lake
Reply to Jake Newman
Don’t think anyone is suggesting one get dropped or moved … it’s all about the very poor planning and implementation, something the Higgs government is expert at.
Jake Newman
Reply to Jim Lake
I think any blame would/should fall on the bureaucrats (and workers) at the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Jake Newman
Reply to Jim Lake
"But provincial Liberal candidate John Herron says all of that was foreseeable and could have been taken into consideration with more advance planning and a start earlier in the summer."
The liberals were. So they should come out and state what other project in another community should have been dropped or moved.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Jake Newman
That contract was awarded at tender months ago. It's not a matter of dropping one project in favor of another.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Kyle Woodman
A contract being awarded is different than a scheduled work start date. So again, the question is, that you are dodging, what project should have been dropped in its place?
Jim Lake
Reply to Jake Newman
Over which the minister has responsibility … the whole point of having a cabinet minister.
Jim Lake
Reply to Ronald Miller
No project should be dropped - if the contractor can’t manage the contract in a timely manner, the ministry should not have awarded the contract in the first place … a given for those of us knowledgeable in contract. And if the ministry did not lay out target start & completion dates, then they were irresponsible in drawing up the contract … so regardless, it is the minister’s responsibility.
Jake Newman
Reply to Jim Lake
the minister doesn't oversee every single little thing, but you knew that already. So in this case the minister should start firing some bureaucrats (and workers) who would have been overseeing this project.
Jake Newman
Reply to Jim Lake
which project should they have moved or dropped to make way to get this one done?
Don Corey
Reply to Jim Lake
It wouldn't matter if everything had been done to perfection (which never happens with these types of projects and all the variables involved). You'd still create something to criticize.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
I agree
MR Cain
Reply to Jake Newman
The minister would be involved in getting the funding; he might like a photo op too.
Jim Lake
Reply to Don Corey
I didn’t create something to criticize - the minister and Higgs’ government did that all by themselves.
Jim Lake
Reply to Jake Newman
Read my above comments.
Jim Lake
Reply to Ronald Miller
No, sorry Ronnie, but I have not disappeared - I simply have more important things to do with my day than to obsess over and react to all your ‘opinions’.
-Ronald Miller
Bravo, John Herron!
Ronald Miller
Projects like this happen all the time, and they can happen at a moments notice, and no one is ever happy when it impacts their daily lives. And yes, one has to wonder why these projects do not start sooner in the summer so there is less impact during the school year. But unfortunately it is common practice, so the real question is, why is this a story. Based on the PC candidate involved and who the writer is, we know that answer. The left will jump all over this, so easy to lead their weak minds. I see it has already begun below.
Robert Brannen
Reply to Ronald Miller
The right will jump to defend the government due to a lack of strength in the same area; oh, I see it already has!
Ronald Miller
Reply to Robert Brannen
There is nothing to defend, the elected gov't does not schedule infrastructure projects, they budget money for it, try to keep up.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
That isn't how engineering a big project is supposed to work at all. Give your head a shake. This was poor planning and communication. Full stop.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
Baloney.
Robert Brannen
Reply to Ronald Miller
Your naivety is showing.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Kyle Woodman
Maybe you can give us your expertise in the area, wait, let me guess, you spent time doing this at one point, along with all the other areas you have expertise in depending on what the article contains.
Dan Lee
Reply to Ronald Miller
it does not happen all the time.......in order to barricade a main road.........ambulances......fire stations ...police......provincial mobile radio communecation all have to be contacted
Bobby Richards
Reply to Ronald Miller
Miller gets almost zero thumbs up.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
I have more expertise in this are than you realize there Ronald. Some people have careers that allow them to work on all kinds of different projects.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Bobby Richards
And as we all know, thumbs up numbers is the secret to success.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Kyle Woodman
I knew you would have expertise on the subject, you never let me down.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Dan Lee
Miller was just schooled by Dan
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
Some people have real world skills Ronald.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Kyle Woodman
I just gave you a thumbs up Kyle.
Bobby Richards
Faytene will be praying for RM
Ronald Miller
Reply to Kyle Woodman
If obsession is a real world skill then you have an abundance of it.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Ronald Miller
I knew Miller would take the bait.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Bobby Richards
He always does.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
Did you learn all these clever retorts at the Steve Outhouse school of media engagement?
Ronald Miller
Reply to Dan Lee
It does happen all the time, and those people are notified, but maybe you can let us know about your expertise on these projects, maybe consult with KW first, I think he has an inside track on this project.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Bobby Richards
Who is your bigger hero, Dan, who schooled me, or Kyle who you gave a thumbs up to?
Ronald Miller
Reply to Kyle Woodman
OUthouse, now I know who took up your obsession time when Holland retired, thank you for reminding me.
Bobby Richards
Reply to Ronald Miller
Signs Someone is Baiting You: 13 Red Flags to Be Aware
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Ronald Miller
Do you really wan to talk about Mike Holland and RTE 114?
Archie MacDaniel
Why can't Faytene part the waters like Moses did? Problem solved and more money for Higgs surplus.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Archie MacDaniel
It is NB's surplus, yes, that can be confusing for some.
Winston Gray
Reply to Ronald Miller
A surplus is literally money that is NOT used. Figured you would know that, Ronald.
If they had actually USED the surplus then perhaps this project could have been better planned and communicated so that the community isn’t left flat-footed.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Winston Gray
Surpluses have been used to pay down our massive debt racked up by previous fiscally weak gov'ts, of all colours. This in turn saves the province millions in debt service payments. Federally, we now pay more to service our debt than we do on healthcare. But please tell me more about how millions are needed to communicate projects, I didn't realize communication costs are that high these days.
Dan Lee
Reply to Ronald Miller
hmmm....how many billions to refurbish Point Lepreau.......Higgs and Alward.........wasnt it 1.2 BILLION over cost of a BILLION ..........sure is chugging a long isnt it.....................
Archie MacDaniel
Reply to Winston Gray
And we would have better healthcare.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Dan Lee
So now Point LePreau is the fault of PC gov'ts, keep the laughs coming.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Archie MacDaniel
If money bought good healthcare the country would have the best in the world based on billions spent by Ottawa.
Archie MacDaniel
Reply to Ronald Miller
You took the short bus to school, right?
Dan Lee
Reply to Ronald Miller
hmmm did Hatfield not build it........hmmmhow much did Lord cost us on orimulsion......hmmm did Higgs and Alward not refurbished it........and who is in power now that its costing us a 100 million to repair it.....................
No comments:
Post a Comment