Keeping up with storms on the Coquihalla is a challenge for any maintenance contractor according to the TNRD board chair.

Ken Gillis is also a former longtime trucker and says no matter what, there’s going to be times when snow gets ahead of maintenance crews.

“That Coquihalla situation… is just brutal. I think it would be impossible, really, to have enough equipment for some of the winter conditions that they encounter there on that piece of road. Because things just happen so quickly.

“There are going to be times when the snow gets ahead of them. And I think that’s inevitable and that will happen with whichever contractor we have and that’s just the nature of the road itself. It’s a tough piece of road to try to maintain. I don’t care who they have for a new contractor, it will not always be up to the standard that a person will wish.”

Gillis says he met with a Ministry of Transport staff member last week who he says made no suggestion of incompetence by the current maintenance crew.

VSA Maintenance has had the contract since 2004 but as of July 1st the province has hired Yellowhead Road and Bridge to take over.

“He did say that there’s been changes in the requirements for these contractors and that they’ll be required to live up to new standards,” Gillis says.