The patching of sections of new pavement along Hwy. 16 near Burns Lake is not repairing inferior work.
The issue came up when local resident Cathy Mark wrote a letter to the editor, published in Lakes District News edition of Oct. 26, 2011, asking why the new pavement is already patched.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure manger of the Bulkley Stikine district, Carl Lutz said in this instance the patching is preventative work, rather than corrective.
“We are fixing any potential problems before they occur.”
He said while completing the work, the contractor identified areas where potential segregation in the new pavement could occur and then applied a slurry patch to prevent the asphalt from breaking apart in the future.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of April 20, 2011, a contract, worth more than $2.9 million was awarded by the province to Dawson Construction Ltd. for the resurfacing and rehabilitation of more than 60 kilometres of road along Hwy. 16, West of Burns Lake.
The work was completed in September and extends from Richmond Loop to the Tintagel rest area.
Lutz said the ministry is very happy with the work Dawson Contracting Ltd. did.
“It is a really good paving job.”
He said that while the patched pavement and contrast in asphalt colours may look unsightly at the moment, the patches will be barely visible in a year or so.
