Province halts Highway 148 roadwork over budget problems

Carl Hager

MUNICIPALITY OF PONTIAC – Many residents, including Pontiac MNA André Fortin, were surprised to find out the Quebec government quietly halted the repaving project on the four-lane section of Highway 148 in Luskville the week of September 22. Public notices of the roadwork stoppages have been minimal, but a lack of funds and increasing deficits were cited as reasons. 

“Unprecedented. In all my years in parliament, I've never seen such a thing happen. Why start work on the highway when it's going to be stopped weeks later before completion? Route 148 road work was earmarked for the September to December period. The stoppage will incur increased future costs, the government will probably be sued, and workers will lose work. The contractor loses out on a major contract. How can the government be trusted to honour its commitments in the future?” said Fortin.

The $17 million project on Boulevard des Allumettières in the Hull sector was also halted.

Roger Larose, mayor of the Municipality of Pontiac, said he learned of the highway work stoppage through André Fortin, not from the government. “How can the go-ahead be given on a major project if the money for financing it hasn't been set aside? The work has inconvenienced people, it's not finished, and it will have to start over again next year,” said Larose. One of the goals of the work was to re-engineer the entrance to Dépanneur général at the west end of the four-lane to ensure safer entry and exit from the establishment.

Larose said the municipality also has a major culvert to repair on Thérien Road as a result of torrential rains in August. He worries the government’s approval of the repairs will be further delayed and says it's unlikely the government will assist financially.

The highway will be temporarily surfaced for the winter months, but the government hasn't specified when work will resume next year.