The condition of the 8th Line between Hillsburgh and Erin is so bad the remnants of the old corduroy road base are visible in certain spots, according to resident Kevin?Watson.
Last week, Watson presented council with a petition signed by 13 other residents, asking the town to upgrade the road between 17th Sideroad and County Road 22.
“The residents of the 8th Line deserve to have a decent road to travel on,”?Watson told council, noting the significant taxes paid by residents in the area.
The exposed corduroy and “huge potholes” make the road very unsafe at the best of times, let alone when drivers have to deal with oncoming traffic or inclement weather.
“I’d hate to ever think an emergency vehicle would ever have to come up that road,” said Watson.
He opined the problem can be attributed to surface water having nowhere to go and suggested the town improve ditching along the road and build up the gravel.
He added two residents have had to have their vehicles’ alignment fixed and one resident had trouble finding prospective buyers for their home because of the condition of the road.
Mayor Rod Finnie said Watson’s assessment of the problem is likely accurate, but stressed even adding gravel to a road can be expensive and mean an increase in taxes.
Councillor Barb Tocher noted the 8th Line is not the only location in the municipality where a past corduroy base is evident. She said Roads Superintendent Larry?Van Wyck will likely look into the problem and bring a recommendation back to council.
Watson thanked council for the consideration.
