‘It’s a real challenge’
Rotted, pothole-riddled Grand Lake Road nd a disgrace, say drivers
SYDNEY — A mess, disgrace, slap in the face to taxpayers, very dangerous, deplorable, worst it’s been in four decades, best to avoid — some of the descriptions used about the state of Grand Lake Road, particularly the stretch around the Mayflower Mall.
These came from the Facebook comments as the Cape Breton Post asked people who travel that route to weigh in on the road’s conditions, particularly the intersection of Grand Lake Road/Sydney Port Access Road (SPAR) and Highway 125.
There are parts of the road that will just about swallow your car and avoiding the potholes can be near impossible.
When it rains, water in the ruts puts cars at risk of hydroplaning all along the route at least as far as the Gardiner Road.
“Bad from the Gardiner Road to Sydney by Dairy Queen,” noted Blair Roach of Glace Bay.
“Roads in ancient Rome are still there 3,000 years later. Modern man can't make a road that lasts 10 years.....it's not acceptable,” wrote Gus Kalbhenn.
“I hit one overnight last month that took out two of my tires,” commented Marissa McNeil of the area near the mall.
“I’ve driven from Glace Bay and Reserve Mines to Sydney for 48 years and have never seen the Grand Lake Road in such bad shape as it is now. You cannot stay on your own lane because you will either rip your wheel off or bust up your shocks,” commented Martha MacIsaac.
“It is a real challenge to avoid the potholes, keep your eyes on the road and watch you don’t hit someone else. I was almost sideswiped this morning when a man went to pass me and he tried to avoid the holes and came over to my side of the lane. You would never think we pay taxes.”
‘THE WORST’
“I drive that highway every work day of the week, to the Gardner turnoff. The whole road needs work, however the side close to the mall is the worst,” said Paula McKay Mackeigan.
MacIsaac also wrote about the dangerous ruts on Highway 125, which prompted Carol Ann Comer to agree.
“My shocks are broke now and tires are a mess because of all our roads,” Comer commented.
“It's very dangerous with the ruts in the road especially when it rains the water stays in them. It's like it's sinking in, maybe they should build the road with different asphalt or something to last. These ruts are getting worse and going to cause more accidents.”
“It really is a disgrace,’ said Allan Jaques, who also referred to it as "totally a slap in the face for us taxpayers."
“It's an embarrassment (and) a disgrace,” said Tracey Murphy.
“I avoid taking GLR from New Waterford every time,” commented Megan Kelly.
“It's easy to spot the areas that are maintained (or lack thereof) by (Public Works). That stretch of Grand Lake Rd, Reserve Mines etc. are beyond,” said Tiffany MacKinnon.
LIKE A CIRCUS RIDE
“Been like that forever, never gets fixed properly. Always just some throw and go patches,” said Stephen Butler.
“Yup…coming off the Green Road, turning left, is like being on a circus ride going across the lanes! It needs to be repaved bad!” said Meg Turner.
“It is terrible. I have beaten my ball joints and rims of my truck travelling from Sydney to Grand Lake Road and there is absolutely nothing to tell what lane you’re in at any given time,” said Gerard McMullin.
Others are also concerned about the lack of painted lines on the road indicating what lane to be in. Much of the time, it’s often faded or worn off completely.
“Yes and another big thing is we are all just supposed to judge how far apart to travel on the Bypass/regular roads (all with merging lanes). Seriously no one would be at fault of an accident because there are no PAINTED LINES on the local roads and highways to distinguish who has the right to drive where & in what so called lanes,” said Carrie Currie.
“They'd better start painting lines on the highway as well. It seems that if they repave a section, no one ever goes back to paint the lines on it — Victoria Road in the Pier is one example. The intersection you mention (Grand Lake Road/SPAR/Highway 225) is shameful — you can't even tell where the lanes are and to call it a road is ridiculous. It's just a huge mess of broken pavement that you have to coast through,” wrote Shirley Antle-Kelly.
“What happened to have lines painted on these highways. It is absolutely ridiculous! No wonder there are so many accidents! People don’t even know where they should be driving and the potholes are beyond on all roads,” said Pearl Edgell.
“DOOMED we are, paying taxes for WHAT, may I ask,” said Tracy Smith.
Some blame the lack of attention on the so-called feud between Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the PC government, or else it’s the provincial government ignoring Cape Breton’s problems.
“We are still being punished by the province for CBRM’s behavior,” mused Rick Fraser.
“But yet they send money to Halifax all the time ...when is it Cape Breton’s time to get well deserved fixed road instead of patching them every year ...spraypaint a hole does not fix the hole,” said Scott Giovannetti.
FIND THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM
Grand Lake Road falls within the district of Cape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier NDP MLA Kendra Coombes.
She said the Grand Lake Road has been repaired multiple times over the last decade and suspects there’s a bigger problem, such as lack of sufficient drainage that needs to be tackled, rather than repeated patching.
She’s discussed it with Public Works officials locally.
Coombes suggests digging the road up completely is the only solution.
“Deal with the water drainage — water collecting and not draining. Unless they fix that part, this road is going to continue to break up and it’s throwing good money after bad,” said Coombes, who receives complaints each week about Grand Lake Road, more when it’s raining.
“For Grand Lake Road, just driving it from the Gardiner Mines turnoff all the way to the mall the potential for hydroplaning increases because of the road condition,” Coombes said of the high traffic area.
“These roads are dangerous, not safe for pedestrians who are walking, those who are driving. You have to build it so everyone can safely drive on it.”
She said the provincial government has to provide the money to properly fix it.
“It’s not against any of our local workers here in Public Works,” Coombes said.
“It’s the (Public Works) minister in Halifax making sure we have enough funding down there in Cape Breton to do these big fixes rather than continued patchwork.”
The Highway 125 intersection at Grand Lake Road is scheduled for an upgrade in 2024-25, according to the provincial road improvement plan.
Public Works was contacted for details but did not reply in time for deadline.