Where’s the Salt – Safety and Winter Roads Is Manitouwadge Hwy 614 Being Acceptably Maintained?

Written by admin on 03 January 2013

Township sand dome at cross-town (Sault Rd) in Manitouwadge where TWD Roads Management stores sand and salt for highway maintenance. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – OntarioNewsNorth.com received a call from a concerned Manitouwadge resident last month in regards to the maintenance of Highway 614, more specifically what seemed to be a lack of salt at the township’s sand dome at crosstown (Sault Road) and the caller’s feeling that the highway was being less than adequately cleared following recent snowfalls. The resident said that he had been involved in bringing a similar issue to the attention of the Mayor a couple years prior when, well into the winter months, there had yet to be salt delivered to the dome for highway maintenance and he was concerned that this was possibly what was occurring again this winter. Like many Manitouwadge residents the caller spoke of having an immediate family member who traveled on Highway 614 daily and his concern for their safety due to his belief that the highway remained snow covered with large icy patches weeks after recent major snowfalls.

OntarioNewsNorth.com contacted the township about the issue December 20th, leaving messages for both Omer Collins Public Works Superintendant and Town Clerk Ceclie Kerster requesting details of who was responsible for ensuring that necessary sand and/or salt was at the dome for when it was needed on the highway among other things. Mrs. Kerster, promptly returned our call the very same day, providing details in answer to our queries. Included was the following information:

The sand stored at the dome actually includes a mix of 4% salt
TWD Roads Management Inc is contracted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to clear/maintain Highway 614
TWD Roads Management Inc is responsible for ensuring there is adequate sand and/or salt in the dome to maintain Hwy 614

With this information we contacted TWD Roads Management Inc.’s office in Thunder Bay to ask about the lack of salt in the dome and the condition of the highway in recent weeks. Just a few days later our call was returned by Mr. Milles Kelly from TWD Roads Management Inc. Mr. Kelly confirmed the information provided by Mrs. Kerster adding that it was his understanding that salt had been delivered to Manitouwadge December 11th. We informed him that we had been unable to see any salt at the dome and that there were concerns from Manitouwadge residents (between the time when we received the original call of concern and when we spoke to Mr. Kelly there had been others who emailed with concerns of highway maintenance levels) that Highway 614 was being left snow-covered or partially snow-covered long after snowfall had ceased and that there was possibly insufficient salting occurring. Mr. Kelly explained that it was quite possible the salt delivered December 11th had been used shortly there after and that we had viewed the dome between deliveries as salt is not stored at the dome through just one large delivery for the entire season but is regularly delivered there and replenished as needed. To Mr. Kelly’s knowledge the highway was being maintained as per TWD Road Management Inc’s contract with the MTO and he was not aware of any complaints or concerns. He also pointed out that Highway 614 is a tertiary highway making the frequency of clearing and the level at which it is expected to be maintained less than that of Highway 17.

As a regular traveler of Highway 614 I agreed that it seemed the highway had remained partially snow covered for what seemed, and excessive period following recent snowfalls however, I spoke to others who travel the highway more frequently, those who drive on Highway 614 every day and many were of the opinion that Highway 614 has been well maintained this winter. Madeline Penney, Driver for Bob’s Delivery travels to Marathon daily and feels the 614 has, in fact, been quite well maintained to date this winter “I’m on the highway every day and it’s been in good condition this year, as a matter of fact in comparison to last winter I think maintenance of the 614 has improved” said Penney.

Thanks to the reader who called with his concerns regarding maintenance and snow removal on Highway 614 and to those who provided information. If you have a question about something in your community and are not sure which branch of the government to address your query; call or email OntarioNewsNorth.com, we may be able to help. Editor@OntarioNewsNorth.com or (807) 826-4745