Weather causes ferry delays, poor driving conditions

Published on February 5, 2013

Published on February 4, 2013

Frank Gale  

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STEPHENVILLE — The Department of Transportation and Works was reporting wet roads and good visibility in most areas Monday afternoon.
Such was the case from Corner Brook to Stephenville Access Road (Route 460) and on the access road itself. It was a different story for the section of the Trans-Canada Highway from the access road to Port aux Basques, with slush and heavy, wet snow in areas. Winds gusts of up to 73 km/hr were reported at the Wreckhouse area and was expected to increase into the night.
Burgeo Highway (Route 480) was reported to have a few slippery and slushy sections with fair visibility in the afternoon.
A problem late last week with water flooding an estuary leading into Mattis Point, causing access to be restricted to emergency vehicles only, was cleared up on Saturday and there were no problems reported there Monday. Some minor shoulder repairs need to be made, which the Department of Transportation and Works said would be attended to once conditions permitted.
On Monday afternoon, Marine Atlantic reported the Highlanders ferry was tied up in Port aux Basques and the Blue Puttees was holding at port in North Sydney, N.S.
Passengers with reservations were being advised for the next 24 to 48 hours to keep checking back with the reservations line to see when the vessels would resume sailing.
There were no cancellations of schools reported in Stephenville or the larger Bay St. George area, including the Port au Port Peninsula on Monday.
It was a non-ski day at Marble Mountain as all 39 of its runs were closed due to inclement weather conditions brought on by mild weather. The runs were closed as of 10:45 a.m. and patrons were asked to check back on the website, www.skimarble.com.
Officials with Environment Canada were forecasting a large-scale weather system for Monday evening, with indications of significant storm surge potential through the night and into today. High waves in the range of eight to 10 metres were expected to develop with increased water levels expected along the coastline.
The high winds are expected to taper off later today.
In Corner Brook, city work crews spent Monday ensuring catch basins were clear of debris and slob ice. A backhoe was stationed at the North Street headwall specifically to make sure there was no trouble at that location.
The city’s heavy equipment was also busy clearing melting slush and ice off the main streets and side roads in anticipation of the 20 centimetres of snow expected overnight.