No plans for major cleanup of trash-covered Outer Ring Road this year

It's been two years since the government of Newfoundland and Labrador conducted a planned cleanup of the Outer Ring Road in St. John's, and despite calls from Coun. Danny Breen for the province to address the issue, there are no plans for a cleanup in 2017.

"Safety is paramount and there are inherent risks associated with removing garbage from high-volume, high-speed areas such as the Outer Ring Road," said Transportation and Works Minister Al Hawkins.

"A lot of preparation is required, which includes the development of a safety plan. We intend to meet with city officials soon."

Not all from litter bugs

The last major cleanup in 2015 was a three-day initiative spread over a couple of months that resulted in the collection of about 110 tons of garbage.

While the accumulation of the roadside trash is often due to deliberate littering by motorists, the dangers of unsecured debris blowing off the backs of trucks and vehicles is also causing great concern.

In a news release, Service NL Minister Perry Trimper said unsecured loads pose a serious risk to drivers.

"When transporting cargo of any kind it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure their load is properly secured," he wrote. 

"I encourage everyone to put public safety first by taking the time to ensure their load is properly secured before they head out on the road."

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary supports the province's concerns for safety. Last weekend, the police issued more than 50 tickets to drivers with unsecured loads, and said officers will continue the crackdown over the next several months.

While a major cleanup is not scheduled, the province does plan to begin road work soon.

"The summer maintenance program involves upgrading and maintaining provincial highways, roads and bridges," said Hawkins.

"This includes upgrading shoulders of roads, grading gravel roads, installing and repairing guide rails, repairing potholes and repairing signage."