Hwy. 33 response backlash

Photo: Contributed

Joe Rich residents are steaming over what they call a lack of proper road maintenance this week on Highway 33.

Residents sent emails to Castanet and took to Facebook venting their frustration towards road maintenance contractor, Argo Road Maintenance, and its response - or lack thereof - on Monday.

Monday saw snow fall on the the highway through Joe Rich that left motorists struggling to drive along the icy pass while avoiding cars in the ditch and a truck on its roof.

“Argo's response was less than acceptable,” said Shelley Duke. “Outrageous that I had to call them at 4:15 p.m. and beg them to come up. This highway should be monitored constantly by Argo.”

Duke claims the contractor came once and did a poor job later that evening.

“Argo got a lot of angry phone calls from residents up here Monday night, but I doubt they'll listen,” said Duke. “They should be fired as far as we're all concerned.”

Cathy Angel wrote on the Joe Rich Facebook group her husband started driving into Kelowna, but was forced to turn around.

“The Highway is very, very icy like a skating rink and it is to dangerous to drive,” wrote Angel.

“It is terrible! How on earth can Argo think it is OK?” wrote Angela Volk.

Nicole Mesenchuk adds, “Argo did squat. Just got home. Did a half-assed job on the road for the Big Whiters, as for us coming home, snow and ice.”

Duke says residents are fuming over the response and are just grateful no one was killed.

“Their service this year has been terrible. We don't want to lose any more lives up here this year. We got lucky Monday night,” added Duke.

Argo is contracted by the province to maintain that particular stretch of road.

“The ministry takes the concerns of Joe Rich residents and the travelling public very seriously,” writes the Ministry of Transportation in response to Castanet's request. 

“Although some sections of Highway 33 experienced several winter squalls Monday, which contributed to rapidly changing temperatures and weather conditions, we can confirm Argo Maintenance was actively working and applying salt to the roadways throughout the day and into the evening.”

The ministry says it wants to assure the public that the ministry will continue to monitor the maintenance contractor’s activities during and after storms to ensure they are fulfilling their contracts.

Castanet made several attempts to get comment from Argo, but the company chose not to respond.  

Join the discussion