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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-08-12, Page 3District News Minister exa BY DAVID EMSLIE BLYTH - Ed Fulton, the Minister of Transportation and Communications and Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell were at the memorial hall here on August 5 to discuss Highway 4 grievances with representatives from local councils. Representatives from six area councils were on hand to discuss improvements to be carried out on the stretch of highway bet- ween Blyth and Wingham. They included Doug Fortune from the Township of Turn - terry, Bruce Machan from Wingham, Doug Fraser from the Township of Morris, Tom Cunningham from Hallett Township, Albert Wasson and Bill Howson from Blyth and Er- nie Snell, Don Schultz and Ralph Campbell from the Township of East Wawanosh. Before the meeting got underway, the visiting dignitaries were given a tour of the road so they might better understand the cwrlcerns they were about to hear. 'Dennis Merrall, County Engineer for Huron, provided some backround informa- tion befored the discussions began. He explained, "In spring, the municipalities served by Highway 4 bet- ween Blyth and Wingham became aware that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications was proceeding with engineering for improvements to this sec- tion of Highway 4. Since that time, the reeves of the affected municipalities have held meetings to discuss the nature of the . improvements on Highway 4. "The consensus at these meetings was that the improvements to Highway 4 should be upgraded to include pavement widening, ditching, and raising the roadway to im- prove the durability of the pavement and to lessen the dangerous winter whiteout and drifting conditions. "The reeves decided to ask for the assistance of the Honourable Jack Riddell, MPP, Huron -Middlesex and the Honourable Murray Elston, MPP, Huron -Brute in con-vincing the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the need for upgrading the improvements to Highway 4." Mr. Merrall then went on to describe the existing conditions of the highway: He noted that the pavement itself is . deteriorating, resulting ' in substantial cracking ' in the asphalt. Because of the narrow width of the road, there are shoulder drop-offs from truck tires running over the edge, of the pavement. He added that this section of road has a reputation for being unreliable in the winter, and has to be closed frequently due to the conditions. "There is a considerable amount of drif- ting and whiteout locations along the road that occur frequently," he said. Mr. Merrall went on to explain that the Highway 4 corridor is a major north -south route through the county, as it provides for the movement of goods and services within -the county. "On the broader provincial scale, Highway 4 provides the major transporta= tion route between Owen Sound and Lon- don," he said. The importance of Wingham as a service area with its industries, schools, shopping and a hospital was also discussed as many workers from Wingham industries live south of -the town and rely on Highway 4 to 'nes Highway 4 Ed Fulton, Minister of Transportation and Communications, along with Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell, was at the Blyth Memorial Hall on August 5 to discuss the con- cerns of local municipalities on the stretch of Highway 4 between Blyth and Wingham. Council representatives from the Township of Turnberry, Wingham, the Township of Morris, the Township of East Wawanosh, the Township of Hullett and the' Village of Blyth attended the meeting. Mr. Fulton is seen above talking with Blyth Clerk -Treasurer Helen Grubb after the meeting. (David Emslie photo) get to work. The industries in that town also rely on Highway 4 for the movement of their goods to other areas, and for their supply of raw materials, Mr. Merrall explained. He further noted that trucks that would usually be travelling on this main artery have taken to driving on, the county roads because of the conditions on the highway. One particular concern he mentioned on the issue of winter travel was that trucks have to travel from Goderich with road salt. `Reliable winter transportation makes an important contribution to the quality of life in rural areas by making socail activities, recreation, entertainment, and shopping ac- cessible to the rural population," he explained. Following his presentation, represeri- tatives from the local municipalites were given the opportunity to air their views. The fact that school buses have to travel on the highway to take children from con- cession to concession was noted by Mr. Fraser. He also pointed out that fire fighters have to travel the road, and this is impossi- ble iiit is closed. "When the highway is closed, I worry about people travelling between work and home. I think the highway should be brought up to standard to make it a safe road," he said. ' Mr. Machan commented that with all of the `trucks running, on the road, he feels there should be improvements on the wid- ths; as well as the services. He also noted that he had learned the original road was Color Your World' OFF EVENT Don't miss these fantastic 50% savings! Color Your World's got you covered in fashion! 50% OFF PAINT! The Outsider Super adhering low sheen extenor latex Paint 1 It PRICE 19.99hould en:l RFC; .09ft Velvet Pastels -Flat. 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Well cheerfully refund unused tile your money in ful, including the single roll on your wall. Color Your o. ld teYoii Card v 'Where Customer Service Makes All The Difference' iron HARDWARE AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES 84 Kingston Si, Goderich, Ont. 524-9671 Although ee wive for accuracy in both copy and illustrations, unintentional error° may occur Palierns Tay wary from thO , %howl Price% available while'quaMllles IasP built in 1936, and resurfaced in 1956 and 1976. The fact that trucks have to resort to using the county roads was supported by Mr. For- tune who stated that he was involved with a company that used large trucks, and they just couldn't use the highway. After the municipalities were given their chance to talk, it was over to Mr. Riddell: "I know a lot •of money is coming into Huron County for road work, and there are also supplementals, and I know there needs to be some work done. It's a case of doing it at the time funds are available," he said,' noting that it is not easy to reach into the barrel and decide where work should be car- ried out as many counties are requesting money for road work. Mr. Fulton concluded the meeting with his presentation. "I think it has been stated, we're not looking at just a road carrying vehicles, but as the economic heart of a community," he said. After seeing the road first hand, he stated that the narrowness of the road was a con- cern, as were winter driving conditions, when the road is closed down. • "A road is so vitaly important, this is wor- thy of our close inspection," he said. He assured the gathered municipal representatives that at the earliest oppor- tunitty the information presented at the meeting would be reviewed. "We will give it serious review to deter- mine whether the proposals presented here are in the best interests of Huron County and Ontario. 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