Route 143 a black hole of black ice?

Winter driving is always unpredictable. Road conditions can change within hours, sometimes minutes.

According to some Townshippers, Route 143, specifically the stretch between Burroughs Falls and Stanstead, should be in the running for most dangerous road to travel in winter.

“New Year’s Day was the last straw,” said Cindy Bowen, who travels Route 143 regularly.

“The last few years weren’t great, but this year was the absolute worst,” she said.

According to Bowen, the road has been a patchwork of black ice since mid-december.

“There are a lot of transport trucks on that road,” Bowen said, making the drive even more nerve-wracking.

Bowen claimed that this year in particular, the winter road maintenance contract was given to a new company. She and others living in her area believe the new company has not been vigilant enough with snow removal and laying sand and salt, which has led to a build up of ice that is worse than usual.

Bowen said her mother-in-law was so displeased with the roads that on one occasion she followed the plow truck until it stopped. She then confronted the driver, asking how often he circulates and how much sand and salt he lays, pointing out that drivers often go off the road in that area.

According to Bowen, the plow driver suggested anyone who took the ditch was driving too fast.

“We get that it’s been colder this year,” Bowen said, but added that other roads she travels daily are clear. “There’s no reason for it to be so bad, others are better,” she said.