Millions needed to repair roads in New Brunswick’s First Nation communities
Posted November 17, 2014 11:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – A new document says most roads running through First Nations communities in New Brunswick are in poor condition — and it would cost tens of millions of dollars to repair and maintain them.
Earlier this year, provincial officials visited First Nations across New Brunswick to collect video footage and data about road conditions.
Their findings are summarized in a May 27 briefing note to Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt, obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
The province found 59 per cent of its on-reserve paved roads are in poor condition, 27 per cent are in fair condition and only 14 per cent are in good condition.
Unsurfaced roads on reserves are much worse: 92 per cent are in poor condition and eight per cent are considered fair. None are in good condition.
New Brunswick estimates it will cost $68 million over the next 12 years to repair and maintain the on-reserve roads.
