Cumberland House declares State of Emergency for Highway 123

Cumberland House has declared a State of Emergency over the status of Highway 123 – the main road that leads in and out of the community.

“The deplorable and deteriorating conditions of Highway 123 puts the health and well-being of our community members in jeopardy,” said Cumberland House Mayor Ferlin McKay in a statement sent to the media on Friday afternoon.

“We are at a critical point and we’re calling on the federal and provincial governments to meet with our leadership immediately. The road is impassable for the transportation of important goods and services for our citizens. Essential things like milk, bread, baby formula, and prescription medications are dwindling and impeding access to emergency services, and fly-in services is alarming,” he added.

Earlier this week, the village council of Cumberland House made their frustration about the state of the road known.

When asked about what plans the provincial government has to fix the road, they responded by saying it 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 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 continue to monitor and assess the highway,” the ministry added earlier this week.

From the premier

Speaking before the state of emergency was declared, Premier Scott Moe said the government needs to make sure it’s working alongside the leadership for both communities at Cumberland House.

“We’ll work with the community on any immediate challenges that they have and also work with the community on what the investment looks like for that road into the future and, I would say, there needs to be more, not less,” said Moe.

The premier said Highway 123 being the only access in and out for those communities makes it a priority for conversation in the Ministry of Highways.

He mentioned the $3 million budgeted for that road this year.

“We’re going to be meeting with the Department of Highways if there needs to be more to ensure that the road is passable,” said the premier.

Moe also said living in the north brings with it some challenges, and that there are several roads struggling after the wet spring weather and there are several roads in the north being worked on.

“There’s more work to do and I think there’s more reason for us to continue to look at the level of funding we have in our highways budget and continue to look at increasing it,” he explained.

With files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing, Mia Holowaychuk and 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick