Dear Editor,

I would like to address the current condition of Fort St John's roads

What is going on ? Or shall I say What is not going on…

Our streets are atrocious! Yes, we have had a lot of snow in a short time...however, there is no excuse for the current condition of our roads! They are rutted, potholed, slippery (yes, I have seen the sanding trucks out...dropping sand on unplowed areas). I see snow piled on the center lanes, waiting for removal, causing narrowing of lanes...I've seen sidewalk plows blowing snow into the curb lane further narrowing the road.

Why are our crews not working 24 hours a day to ensure our roads are safe? I normally see the crews trying to remove the center lane snow on main streets during busy hours, creating detours and hassles...why is it not done between 10pm & 6am? Why are our highway trucks not running in tandem to clear the main thouroghfare and getting it done in a timely manner? Why don't they use scrapper blades to break through the compacted snow & ice, followed by sand & salt, especially on the city routes? And why can't the sanding trucks put their blades down and clean before they sand? (Isn't that why the plow attaches to the front & the sand comes out the back?)

I have lived in other 'winter' communities and they seem to be able to keep their roads properly maintained, creating safer travel & commuting! Winter driving is hazzard enough, without having to worry about getting thrown into the next lane by nasty ruts. Changing lanes is especially dangerous...unless you are travelling under 20 kph chances are your vehicle will attempt to do 'ballet'.

I drive a 1 ton pickup truck with 4x4 & 4 studded tires & I have difficulty getting around, (I parked my car for the winter due to the damage it incurred last year). I feel very bad for people driving cars...they have very low clearance and who knows how much damage is being done to them! With the ruts & potholes, the travel is very rough (you need to visit your chiropractor after a short trip through town).

We are a busy 'energetic' city with a lot of oil & gas industry, so we are not poor...when I drive in the patch in the middle of nowhere, the roads are fairly smooth and clear of snow, don't you think our city deserves the same kind of attention?

Is anybody in charge of this important duty? If so, Do Your Job!! If your crews can't handle it perhaps changes should be mad !

Susan Davey

Fort St John, B.C.