State of Burgeo highway 'frustrating' for town's mayor

Burgeo Mayor Barbara Barter said she hopes the provincial government makes major repairs this year to the only road into the town.

Route 480 on Newfoundland's southwest coast, also known as the Burgeo highway, has long been known for being peppered with potholes, and has been subject to washouts and subsequent road closures over the last few years.

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Barter said it is hard on people who drive the 150 km road every week —  to go to Stephenville or Corner Brook for medical appointments and other services. 

"It becomes quite frustrating," she said. "Besides the wear and tear on your vehicle, I guess it's also a wear and tear on the people in the vehicle." 

The road leads to Burgeo from the TCH. However, people who live in the isolated communities of Ramea, Grey River and Francois also use the road to get to the ferry terminal in Burgeo.

One of the main problems with the road, according to Barter, is the many culverts that exist along the route.

Last December, an aging pipe gave way and washed out part of the road, which led to a man being injured when he drove into the hole in the dark.

A similar washout happened in 2013, and Barter says since those incidents she's asked the Department of Transportation to take a close look at the culverts.

"There is an indication that the culverts are weakening," she said.

"People don't really realize it until they are on it and the road gives way under them. That's very dangerous."

The province said it is planning on fixing up last December's major washout. It also will hold meetings with the town to talk about other possible repair projects, including the aging culverts.

Barter thinks some work is long overdue on the road.

"My hope is that we won't be rated as the fourth worst in Atlantic Canada, the next time around," she said.