Port aux Basques mayor urges patience as work continues to repair major road washouts

The mayor of Channel-Port aux Basques is urging patience as construction continues to repair road after record rainfall caused washouts and isolated the community earlier this week.

Brian Button says four major washouts along the Trans-Canada Highway won't make it easy to reconnect the town with the rest of Newfoundland.

"It's a monumental task to try to get these fixed up in a timely manner," he said.

In a news release, the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said the last sections of culverts are being installed and backfilled on Saturday at the washout on the highway at Overfalls Brook.

That work will allow additional equipment and materials to be brought further west down the highway to begin the installation of culverts at the washout near the Port aux Basques weigh scales, the department said.

All washouts in the Codroy Valley have also been assessed and temporary roads have been created to reconnect those communities.

In the mean time, helicopters have been used to help bring essential items into Port aux Basques and transport residents out to communities like Stephenville and Deer Lake, which are not affected by the washouts.

Many residents are waiting on those helicopters, Button said — and bad weather on Saturday means they'll have to wait a little longer.

"I know it's been very frustrating for some people that are still waiting and trying to get back home or might have been away now for a bit, and I feel their frustration," he said.

Button said some area residents have opted to bypass the highway by taking the T'Railway on ATVs — but with a number of reported washouts on the rail bed, he said he's advising against it.

Button said the military has also been called in to help out with roadwork, traffic flow and air services.

"So through it all, it's great to know that [the help] is there," he said.

Marine Atlantic has also re-opened its Argentia route to ensure essential goods make it to their destinations.

"It's been a long week," said Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer.