A road rebuilding project on Chief Lake Road on Thursday that angered motorists when their vehicles were coated in a layer of tar and road surface aggregate – some badly enough to make them unstable on their wheels - has prompted a response from the provincial government.
In an email sent Saturday to the Citizen, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said the road’s manager, Yellowhead Road and Bridge, is working with the subcontractor of the project to investigate what caused the seal-coating material to stick to passing vehicles rather than the road.
“This is a highly abnormal event that technical staff have never seen happen in this region,” said ministry communication manager Lisanne Bowness. “The failure affected one section of the project. In that section, the oil and aggregate separated from the road surface days after it was applied.”
“YRB is working hard to respond to this issue and is resolving it over the weekend.”
Bowness added that YRB and the subcontractor will be handling damage claims. Anyone with vehicles or property adversely affected by driving on that stretch of road that day is being asked to call YRB at 1-800-218-8805.
“The ministry can appreciate this would be upsetting to anyone with vehicles or property damaged and asks for patience while YRB and its contractor respond to the damage claims,” said Bowness.
The Citizen reported on Thursday that Jason Peters was picking up his daughter at Ness Lake Bible Camp and drove twice on the section of Chief Lake Road under repair west of Pilot Mountain Road. The thick road mixture stuck to the wheels and undercarriage of his car. He tried unsuccessfully to spray it off at a car wash and his car continued to slide sideways on the road as he drove it on a noisy trip to his home in College Heights. Peters phoned ICBC and was told to have the car towed to a repair shop for an inspection.
Another passing motorist, Eric Karjaluoto of Vancouver, drove his truck past the project earlier in the morning and was left with splatters of tar on the truck’s wheel wells, body and frame. Karajaluoto said the persistent rain Thursday likely contributed to the failure of the road aggregate to bind to the road.
YRB posted its response to the incident on Instagram, saying staff are working through the weekend to figure out why the road-sealing material failed to bond to the road.
“We realize what has transpired over the last few days has caused a wide array of issues for our road users and stakeholders,” the statement reads. “We have been inundated with calls and apologize for not being able to return your inquiries promptly, we have been diligently investigating the cause for the deficiency and doing our best to maintain safe passage through the road in the interim. YRB Fort George and our subcontractors are committed to making the situation right and will keep you updated as the situation progresses.”
Staff at YRB and the company’s answering service reported that some of the calls from motorists with complaints about the state of the road were abusive.
“Our answering service and office staff have received threats, insults, and deplorable language from callers when they are trying to gather information on our behalf,” said YRB in its post. “Please be respectful when calling in. We understand the frustration with the given circumstances, but common courtesy and respect is expected no matter the situation.
“Currently the insurance companies are working through how and who will be contacting everyone that has reached out with damage claims. If your vehicle needs immediate attention, please make a claim to your insurance provider and retain all info regarding the claim.”
According to the supplier of the emulsion used on the road, motorists left with tar on their vehicles can clean it off using WD-40 lubricant.
