‘Falls on deaf ears’: Cumberland House council frustrated with state of Highway 123

By Cam Lee

The residents and village council of Cumberland House are fed up that the only road into the community is virtually impassable.

Both Mayor Ferlin McKay and Deputy Mayor Veronica Favel said Highway 123 into Cumberland House looks like more of a back road than a highway, with soft gravel and deep mud making driving next to impossible for most vehicles.

The situation has had a huge impact on the community and its residents, with leaders saying it can be downright dangerous.

Favel told northeastNOW the situation has led the Saskatchewan Health Authority to issue a memo to the village saying it is stopping ambulance service due to the poor state of the road. However, the health authority said it is offering air ambulances if there is a need.

The road has a weight restriction, which is affecting deliveries of food and fuel.

“It’s come to the point where we may have to have fly in food source from our local northern store. We may have to have them transport through fly-in,” said Favel.

If someone gets stuck on the road, they may be out of luck. Favel said tow trucks sometimes refuse to provide their services because they are at risk of also getting stuck. A medication delivery from Nipawin on Thursday was unable to proceed to the village after becoming stuck in the mud.

Favel said the community needs assistance and a long-term plan to fix the situation.

“Why do we have to have weight restrictions?” he asked.

“Why do we have to be risking going on the road that’s our only way out of our community? Why are we always at risk? Why do we have to take all these measures to access services that are a daily need?”

Favel said Cumberland House is proud to be the oldest established community in Saskatchewan and Western Canada, but she feels it’s beyond time for the village and its residents to have their issues heard.

McKay said the community has been in contact with the minister of highways and brought up the topic at the SUMA meetings in Regina. But the appalling road conditions remain, and McKay said it’s like their requests are falling on deaf ears.

“We have (gone) through three ministers that held that position as a minister of highways, and they haven’t done anything,” McKay explained.

McKay said it’s sad that people are either stuck in the community or outside of it, unable to bring basic needs like groceries and gas into Cumberland House.

“Even family members can’t visit into our community,” McKay said.

McKay said they’ve been getting help from other agencies like the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Health Authority, but the situation is frustrating. He said the Ministry of Highways has recommended travelling with caution in the area and not driving on the road at night.

“It all falls on deaf ears,” said McKay.

To make matters worse, Favel said there is no cellular service along that stretch of road, so if anyone is stuck or needs help, they cannot call.

“Just another barrier that we’re experiencing.”

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways said a “challenging spring” has left the road in rough shape until it dries out. According to the ministry, in early May the weight was restricted and about 15 truckloads of rock material was added to beef up a three-kilometre stretch.

“The ministry will work with trucking companies to ensure food, fuel and other key supplies can reach Cumberland House,” the ministry explained in a statement.

“Message boards will be posted advising travelers of the conditions and recommending four-wheel-drive trucks only. A contractor will be put on site to help pull out motorists, as required.”

The provincial government plans to invest $3.3 million into Highway 123 during this construction season, and has spent $2.47 million on maintenance along that route in the past three years.

“The ministry will continue to monitor and assess the highway,” the ministry added.