STEPHENVILLE -
Business people in the community were pleased to hear Tom Hedderson say on Friday that improvements to White's Road are on the agenda.
The minister of the Department of Transportation and Works said at a luncheon address to the Bay St. George Chamber of Commerce Friday that his department would be conducting a feasibility study to consider options for upgrading the White's Road highway.
Residents have long complained about issues with the road, including it being narrow, experiencing persistent flooding in the community of Noel's Pond, having dips in areas as well as chipped off edges of pavement and reduced speed limits through communities.
Hedderson recognized issues have been raised in respect to the flooding issues and traffic flow on this important regional road.
He said in Noel's Pond there is a continual problem with the buildup of silt under the bridge, which helps contribute to the flooding problem.
"We believe this is an appropriate time to consider any and all options for improving the road in this area to address the concerns of area residents," he said.
Hedderson said work has already started on studying potential options to improve the road, but he recognized that it is preliminary.
He said during the coming months his department would continue to advance the engineering work with the intention of starting necessary fieldwork associated with the study this fall.
"As the department moves forward with this study and develops options, it plans to consult with area town councils, business people and the public before making final decisions on potential options for upgrading in the area," he said.
After traveling on White's Road to get to Stephenville on Friday morning he could see the issues with the road that Joan Burke, legislature member for St. George's-Stephenville East and Tony Cornect, legislature member for Port au Port, have been raising with his department for some time.
The paper and desktop planning will soon be started and Cyril McCarthy, the department's regional director in western Newfoundland, will be overseeing the project.
"We're (government) very open to studying options that will improve our infrastructure and better the flow of people, goods and services and take great comfort in the fact we're making the right investments," McCarthy said.
Hedderson said improvements to Whites Road have been a long time coming and his announcement at the chamber meeting was the kicking off towards this positive development for the area.
Another concern for area residents was also addressed. Hedderson said Gut Bridge in Stephenville Crossing, which has crumbling rails and is in need of deck improvements, is on the list for major rehabilitation but is not in this year's budget.
