West Arichat family fears for their safety after road washes out
'If anything was to happen, we can't get out,' said Amy Fougere about the Little Passage Road
A West Arichat, N.S., family is concerned for their safety after the road they live on washed out due to Monday's heavy rains and left them stranded. The family said it has been a common problem for the last 10 years.
Amy Fougere lives on the Little Passage Road, a three-kilometre gravel road. When it rains heavily, there are two spots prone to flooding: one where a culvert runs underneath the road and a second location where there's a wooden bridge.
"If anything was to happen, we can't get out," she said, adding the couple drive four-wheel-drive trucks.
Besides their home, there are three cottages on the road, said Fougere.
House for sale
While the couple love the secluded nature of the area and its seaside setting, they put their house up for sale a few months ago because they worry about their kids' well-being in an emergency.
"I have to look out for them. It's just not safe for us," said Fougere.
She said the couple has been battling with the Transportation Department for almost 10 years to get a permanent fix.
"It's like a Band-Aid solution each time, you know, shove some gravel on it and wait until the next time they call," said Fougere.
Plow problems
She's also concerned about the winter plowing for the area. She said the Transportation Department only plows a section of the Little Passage Road and refuses to plow the bridge.
"They won't cross the bridge because they say it's not safe, but yet they won't repair it," said Fougere.
As a result, Fougere said the family had to buy a plow for one of their trucks to clear the bridge.
In a preliminary response, the Transportation Department said it's aware of the issues and is following up with the Fougere family about the problems.
"More generally, there's a lot of localized flooding in Richmond County, staff are very busy attending to a number of calls about culvert flooding, and flooded roads as a result. High winds are expected later today and tonight, so we're monitoring conditions, especially at the causeway," said spokeswoman Pam Menchenton in an email.
The story will be updated once further comment is received.
