The company that recently took over regular maintenance of the Sea to Sky Highway has been accused of doing a poor job by some residents - but Mainroad Howe Sound Contracting says the criticism is not unusual.
More than 500 residents in the northern part of the Sea to Sky Corridor recently signed a petition that raises questions about the level of service being provided by Mainroad Howe Sound Contracting.
According to Jeff Knight of the Ministry of Transportation (MOT), a few complaints were lodged from Squamish about the quality of Mainroad's work along the southern part of Hwy. 99.
Mainroad took over the contract to look after Hwy. 99 on Oct. 26, 2003. Capilano Highway Services has previously the contract since 1988 when highway maintenance was privatized.
Brad Gerhardt, the company's road manager for Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton told The Chief that the number of complaints filed from Squamish is not out of the ordinary.
"We've had a few calls from the public wondering what our status is," Gerhardt said. "I'm reassuring everybody that we've got the same amount of equipment and the same crews as the previous contractor. We're basically carrying on what Cap was doing."
The road manager said he spoke with other contractors around the province and found that when a new contractor comes in it isn't unusual for complaints to be filed against the new company.
"When it snows I think you get the complaints," he said. "Sometimes it just doesn't matter what you do. I don't think it is out of the ordinary and it will smooth over eventually."
Complaints tend to get more attention than praise and Gerhardt said his office has received messages of praise as well as complaints.
"I've had many people call and say we are doing a great job," said Gerhardt. "All the work crews here are fantastic, they really welcomed us."
In the time since his arrival in the area, Gerhardt said he has noticed that many drivers on Hwy. 99 speed and take dangerous risks.
