Editor:
Regarding the crack sealing being performed on the Sunshine Coast Highway, particularly between Secret Cove and Madeira Park: I’ve been a motorcycle rider for 50 years and this is creating a new and definite hazard.
A quick Internet search reveals that the process is sound, but the method of application is putting way too much slick rubbery goo (technical term) down than needs to be, creating a very dangerous condition.
I have seen patches a foot wide by three feet long, which are well beyond the threshold of a safely applied Band-Aid fix of a small road crack.
The net effect for motorcycles and bicycles of hitting one of these strips while leaned over in a corner is like hitting ice, to put it mildly; very unnerving and will ultimately lead to a serious injury or death. Lawyers are well aware of this hazard and lawsuits against municipalities and contractors for misapplication of this useful tool abound.
There was a section done a few years ago that included the contractor dusting the fresh goo with sand and letting that embed itself. It worked great, and while not as perfect as pavement, it definitely gave some grip to the goo.
I do get it, that it’s the cheapest way for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to keep our roads from crumbling, but in the meantime, if they have to do this, how about using that technique of brooming some sand on it after the crack is filled? The excess sand will be dispersed in days, and the motorcycles and bicycles will be grateful.
I do appreciate MOTI trying to keep our infrastructure costs down, but they need to do the job right, use common sense, and I hope they are not paying the contractor by the gallon.
Mike Carson, Pender Harbour
