Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre will be taking a look at paving more gravel roads after a petition was put forward to council about a pothole problem on Fourteen Mile Road.
A delegation appeared before council at its March 25th meeting, with concerns about the potholes on a stretch of the gravel road from Highbury Rd. to Prospect Hill Rd.
“Over my 90 years living here, I’ve seen some bad roads but not like we’ve seen in the last several years,” said area resident Jim Dickenson who appeared before council. “The road condition is an embarrassment and a liability risk regarding vehicle damage or accidents,” added Dickenson.
Council was also presented with a petition signed by 22 people expressing concerns about the road. “Many of our friends who live on good roads will not put their cars over these potholes to visit us. That should not be,” said Dickenson.
The delegation also included John Quartel who told council the poor condition of the road makes it difficult on both vehicles and lawn mowers used to cut grass on the shoulder.
Calls for paving the road got a sympathetic ear from Ward 2 councillor Wayne Shipley, who successfully put forward a motion at the council meeting calling for municipal staff to take a look at gravel roads with the intention of providing more paved surfaces. “I’m an advocate of tar and chipping,” said Shipley “I believe we should be doing something here,” added Shipley.
Middlesex Centre Transportation Manger Andrew Giesen told council that area gravel roads are already part of a larger, roads need study. “You can expect to see later this year a new report with updated priorities on gravel road conversions,” said Giesen. However, he cautioned: “Having said that I don’t suspect that this road would still meet the criteria.”
The delegation also cited increased traffic on Fourteen Mile Rd. With respect to the strains that puts on upkeep, Giesen told council: “When it comes to gravel road maintenance, weather and vehicles are the biggest components of what impacts the roads.”
