FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $18 million in summer highway maintenance this year, beginning next week.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin patching potholes three weeks earlier than last year.

“Work gets underway as soon as spring weight restrictions are removed,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. “Equipment is being readied and we have 48 crews ready to go. Our target is to have most repairs completed by August 1, one month earlier than in 2013. High traffic volume areas and the most significant potholes will be given top priority.”

Williams said the effort to begin and finish work early is part of the continuous improvement process and the department's transformation to a performance-based organization.

As in past years, harsh winter conditions have taken their toll on the province's highways. In northern New Brunswick, the roads are still soft in many areas due to spring break up. As a result, repairs will begin in the south next week and one week later in the north.

Other work activities throughout the summer will include asphalt levelling, shoulder and road grading and repair, mowing, brush cutting, ditching and sign maintenance. Under the capital program, the department will also be laying 501.4 kilometers of chip seal and 107 kilometers of asphalt. Other work, such as bridge maintenance, is expected to continue into the fall.


08-05-14