PC critic says slow road clearing raises questions

HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal critic Allan MacMaster is calling on the NDP to explain why 100-Series highways are being left in treacherous condition during major weather events, when our neighbours, New Brunswick, roads are much clearer.

“Anyone travelling between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this weekend could clearly see the difference between the two government snow clearing priorities,” said MacMaster. “The salt needs to get down before the temperature drops. Time is of the essence.”

Last November, Minister Bill Estabrooks told media “we are going to look very carefully at salt use because salt use is the way to save money”.

MacMaster says the NDP government has a lot of explaining to do.

MacMaster says the fact that it took so long for the highways to be cleared raises the question of whether Department of Transportation protocols were followed or if the protocols changed. One section of their website indicates “100-Series highways and major roads with high traffic - salted to achieve bare pavement”. However, another section says 100-Series highways and major roads are to be “salted to achieve bare pavement within 8 to 12 hours”.

“The NDP should be honest and upfront with Nova Scotians about any changes to snow clearing so people can have good information for their own safety,” said MacMaster. “The Minister needs to tell us if less salt is being used as a NDP cost-cutting measure.”

MacMaster says road salt is a better use of the Department of Transportation's dollars than the ineffective and costly government paving crew created by the NDP.

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