by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Residents who live on Stoppa Road, Rox Siding Road and Behm Line just east of Cobden are very upset with Whitewater Region council due to the condition of those roads.
“The road has become untenable, it’s an abomination,” resident Michael La Riviere said, noting he was speaking on behalf of the residents.
He read aloud a letter from the residents, showed pictures of the deteriorated roads, and presented a petition.
“The road is a quagmire of mud,” Mr. La Riviere referring to Behm Line between Patterson Road and Rox Siding Road. “It’s almost impossible to steer your car because the mud is so deep.”
He further noted his own vehicle looks like it went through a mud racing competition.
“I thought I was going to get stuck in the mud,” he said.
Mr. La Riviere also noted one woman could not get home because the road was not passable due to it not being snowplowed, and she had two children waiting for her.
The residents are hoping that portion of Behm Line, from Patterson to Rox Siding roads, will be reconstructed and made to be as acceptable as the portion of that same road from Patterson Road to Cobden Road, which is managed by Admaston/Bromley Township.
Many residents’ vehicles have suffered damage because of the road’s “totally neglected” state, he said. “This road has been ignored and neglected far too long.
“What is Whitewater going to do about this problem,” he continued, adding, “I hope you take this seriously.
“This road is more like a trail than a road. People deserve a lot better.”
He has travelled almost every road within Whitewater Region and none are as in bad shape as Behm Line.
Mayor Mike Moore said Behm Line is a dividing line between the two municipalities, and it will have to be reviewed to see who is responsible for what maintenance.
Mr. La Riviere told Mayor Moore the good portion of Behm Line is looked after by Admaston/Bromley Township.
“They look after the good portion,” he said. “Their roads are in dam, good shape. Why do they look after their roads and we don’t?”
Mayor Moore said if the road is to be reconstructed, the reconstruction schedule will have to be reviewed to see if changes can be made to it.
“We’re not asking for any rescheduling,” Mr. La Riviere replied back. “We’re asking the township to reconstruct the road. It’s wasted money if you do not reconstruct it.”
Councillor Charlene Jackson agreed with Mr. La Riviere that Admaston/Bromley Township does look after their roads. She noted Behm Line has no drainage and a lot of rock.
It’s unfortunate, but when there is an accident on Hwy. 17 between Rox Siding Road and Stoppa Road, traffic is re-routed down Rox Siding Road, which isn’t constructed for that type of traffic, she explained.
Coun. Jackson said to find out who pays for what reconstruction, there will have to be discussion between public works manager Janet Collins and Admaston/Bromley Township.
She noted that portion of Behm Line was constructed as a cart path at one time, “It was never meant to be developed.”
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said Behm Line was on the radar to be reconstructed, but the early winter and late spring didn’t work in that favour. He said once public works reviews the road, a report will be brought back to council in May.
However, Mr. La Riviere asked, “What are we to do in the interim? The road is disgusting. How are we supposed to navigate it?”
CAO Tremblay said the public works director will follow up with staff and see what can be done now.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin noted Behm Line between Patterson and Stoppa roads was reconstructed 10 years ago.
“We did a pile of work on that road,” he said.
As for its condition now, he is aware of it, as he drives it almost every day with 72 passengers.
Mayor Moore said there will be further discussion following a report from staff to see if there can be an emergency fix.
Mr. La Riviere responded, “We were hoping for more of an immediate response. We need the road graded now.”
However, Mayor Moore said roads don’t get graded until the frost is gone.
Ending the discussion, Mr. La Riviere said, “Why do we have to live on a trail? Why can Admaston/Bromley look after and maintain their roads, but Whitewater can’t? (Behm Line) has been badly neglected.”
