CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Greg White has lived on Rosedale Street in Corner Brook for 20 years and says the condition of the road has been terrible from day one.
“What it was, was a failed experiment,” he said of one of the last remaining concrete roads in the city.
“They tried to do concrete and it’s after busting up.”
The road on the west side of the city is full of asphalt-filled cracks and larger asphalt patches cover bigger issues.
White said he’s ruined three cars driving over the road, including having the protective plate ripped off from underneath one of them.
In the winter, when the ice builds up, the ruts make the road difficult to navigate, he said.
“It’s not fit.”
White was one of 37 residents around Rosedale Street and connecting Mayfair Avenue to sign a petition presented to Corner Brook city council asking for improvements to the condition of the streets.
During council’s Nov. 4 public meeting a response to the petition was presented.
After a review by the city, it was determined a complete rebuild of the streets is required, given the condition of the underground infrastructure — water and sanitary sewer pipes — the poor condition of the road base and the lack of a storm water drainage system.
The project was submitted to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) for funding Oct. 25.
If the funding application is not approved, staff will present alternatives to council for consideration.
As an interim measure, asphalt patching was expected to be completed this week to address the immediate need and the city said it will continue to monitor the condition of the roadway until a more permanent solution can be implemented.
White was not totally pleased with the response.
"I’m disappointed in the city council,” he said, noting the winter is yet to come.
“When the water backs up and starts to freeze, you’ve got ruts like you wouldn’t believe that you can barely navigate through. It’s just a terrible situation.”
He’s also concerned the condition of the road has devalued property values, although property tax remains high.
“They value this as if it was a house in a normal area with normal streets and normal everything and, in the meantime, you’re paying municipal taxes on a value of your property that’s not worth what they’re assessing.
“I’m overtaxed.”
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Twitter: WS_DianeCrocker
