The village of Cumberland House in Saskatchewan has declared a state of emergency due to deteriorating road conditions on Highway 123, the only road in and out of the village. The road is described as 97 kilometres of potholes and ruts, making it accessible only to four-by-four vehicles. With recent rainfall, the road conditions have worsened, leading to concerns about food security as delivery access to the community is becoming increasingly difficult. The community estimates that they only have a two-week supply of fuel left at their local store, prompting the need for groceries to be flown in to the community.
Local leaders, including Cumberland House mayor Ferlin McKay and deputy mayor Veronica Favel, are calling on the province to provide assistance with a long-term solution to improve the road conditions on Highway 123. Despite repeated requests to government officials over the years, including Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, for action to be taken to address the poor road conditions, there has been no significant progress. Premier Moe has indicated that the province is willing to work with the community on immediate fixes before looking into more long-term solutions. Discussions with the Ministry of Highways have revealed plans to spend $3.3 million on repairs to the road this summer.
Mayor McKay emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the community needs an improved highway with proper drainage systems and more gravel in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. He expressed hope that the government would provide assistance sooner rather than later to address the critical road conditions in Cumberland House. The leaders in the community are calling for the province to listen to their concerns and prioritize funding for highway repairs to prevent further deterioration of the road. The community is facing a significant supply shortage and relies on outside resources to meet their essential needs, making it crucial for immediate action to be taken by the government to ensure the residents’ safety and well-being.
The community of Cumberland House is facing challenges with regards to transportation and accessibility due to the poor road conditions on Highway 123. Residents are struggling to travel in and out of the village, as the road has deteriorated to the point where only four-by-four vehicles can navigate the 97 kilometres of potholes and ruts. The situation has been exacerbated by recent rainfall, which has further degraded the road conditions and made delivery access to the community increasingly difficult. This has raised concerns about food security, with the community estimating that they only have a two-week supply of fuel left at their local store. Grocery supplies are now being flown in to the community to address the imminent shortage.
Local leadership in Cumberland House, including mayor Ferlin McKay and deputy mayor Veronica Favel, are calling on the province to provide assistance in addressing the long-term solution to improve the road conditions on Highway 123. Despite repeated requests to government officials, including Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, for action to be taken to address the poor road conditions, there has been limited progress in addressing the issue. Premier Moe has indicated that the province is willing to collaborate with the community on immediate fixes before looking into more long-term solutions. Discussions with the Ministry of Highways have revealed plans to allocate $3.3 million for repairs to the road this summer.
Mayor McKay has stressed the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for an improved highway with proper drainage systems and additional gravel to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. He has expressed hope that the government will provide assistance expeditiously to address the critical road conditions in Cumberland House. The community is urging the province to listen to their concerns and allocate funding for highway repairs to prevent further deterioration of the road. The residents are facing significant challenges in accessing essential supplies and resources, making it imperative for the government to take immediate action to address the transportation and accessibility issues in the community.
