Bottom line to blame for poor highway maintenance

Finally, after a flood of complaints from drivers across the north regarding the terrible conditions on northern highways this winter, the Liberal government has, with much fanfare, fined all the highway contractors for ineffective service.

Must be an election coming up, otherwise the problem would have been ignored or the blame would again be placed on the victims.

Granted, we all know that must always drive according to road conditions, but along with safe driving, there must also be competent winter road maintenance to help prevent the carnage and loss of life that slick and icy highways can exacerbate. We deserve better road maintenance for all those taxes we pay.

It is obviously counterproductive, from some contractors’ point of view, to spread too much salt or sand, or to plough roads unless absolutely necessary, as that affects their bottom line.

A big part of the problem seems to be that the Liberal government has also contracted out the oversight of the contractors’ performance.

I don’t recall very many complaints when the MTO looked after our highways.

Why don’t we revert to what worked so well? As soon as possible, we should cancel those ill-conceived contracts with private firms who are in the business for a profit.

Simon Guillet
Greater Sudbury