Vancouver Island MLA offers support for vehicles damaged by potholes
The MLA for Parksville-Qualicum is offering to provide guidance for motorists who had their tires and vehicles damaged recently by hitting potholes in the Nanoose flats area.
Adam Walker tells CTV News that motorists should contact his constituency office for assistance.
"We’re seeing the tow trucks on the side of the road, we’re hearing from people who have had damage to their vehicle, we’re helping them get the support they need to get compensated where possible," Walker says.
He says his office has been working closely with the Ministry of Transportation and is looking for a permanent fix when the weather will permit it.
"Crews are putting a cold-mix asphalt mix into the holes as they develop to try mitigate the situation," he says. "And the weather, unfortunately and obviously, is working against us in this but the crews are working around the clock to try to deal with the issue."
Dozens of motorists had one, two or even three of their tires damaged when they struck the holes along Highway 19 between Lantzville Road and Northwest Bay Road over several evenings this month.
Many vehicles were effected Tuesday evening and a tow truck driver was injured when his vehicle was sideswiped by a suspected impaired driver that was passing where the tow operator was assisting another motorist.
"As we drive between Parksville and Nanaimo we can see the tow trucks on the side of the road and we can see the crews working around the clock filling these holes as much as possible," said the MLA.
Walker says he understands the importance of the highway to people in the community given that it is the only connection between north and south Vancouver Island.
Even though some signs were posted near the beginning of the potholes, many motorists had been posting their complaints on social media about the lack of steps taken to highlight the potholes.
"It’s always easy for us to look back and second guess what people have done but we’ve seen some really unprecedented weather recently," says Walker. "The crews with Mainroad have been out there dealing with this as quickly as possible."
"The best thing in the area for someone who’s been impacted by the highway and these potholes is to reach out to our office and we will work with them to make sure we connect them with the right resources," he says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.