You can’t stop progress. Maybe that’s true. But what is considered progress to one person is not necessarily the same for everyone.
In a province where elected officials and bureaucrats are especially sensitive to being called ‘backwards’ and ‘backwoodsy,’ on December 10th 2013, Halifax Regional Municipality Councillors voted unanimously to pave five gravel roads in the Flandrum Hill subdivision. Although property owners had been formally surveyed by HRM last Spring and the majority voted against paving the roads, Council decided they knew what was best for HRM. Since HRM’s own policy recommends that a minimum of 50% of the residents must be in favor unless it is in the best interest of HRM, one wonders what interests would be so great as to override the wishes of the majority?
Of course such decisions are easier to make when you’re not a homeowner looking at a $6,500.00 bill (calculated at $35 per linear foot of frontage). It’s also easier when you don’t have to consider environmental impact. An environmental study was not undertaken. However, that doesn’t mean the environment won’t be affected.
When warmed by the sun or tire friction, asphalt releases harmful greenhouse gases. During the paving process, fumes from the oil used to bind the aggregate are known to cause sickness in humans. Might be a good idea to keep children indoors when the roads are paved later this summer. Somebody ought to give the wildlife a heads-up too.
Drainage considerations have to also be addressed with paved roads due to potential problems with run-off. Unlike a gravel road, pavement does not absorb precipitation. Though this isn’t as much of a concern for folks who live at the top of a hill, paved roads can potentially contribute to flooding in low-lying areas.
Drivers are known to speed more on paved roads than gravel ones. With its steep incline, Flandrum Hill Road will most likely see an increase in speeding. Woe to the children who get in their way!
The cost of neglecting asphalt can be scary. Repeated freezing and thawing over the winter months takes a regular toll on all our Nova Scotia roads. It’s one thing for homeowners to share in the cost of paving roads initially, but what happens when a municipality has to bear the burden of increased maintenance costs without raising taxes? In recent years, some counties in the U.S. have converted their paved roads to gravel once again. See: Roads to Ruin: Towns Rip Up the Pavement
Many of us moved here because we liked the idea of living closer to nature. We have no bus service and we’re still on well water and septic. Gravel roads just seem to be another part of a lifestyle that the majority of us consider simply part of rural living.
Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.
If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.
~ C.S. Lewis
All photographs and text copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2014
Oh dear, Amy… You make a good argument in favour of keeping gravel roads. I didn’t know all that stuff about asphalt and such, and I hadn’t considered the long-term cost aspects either. Is there still a chance that you can keep your gravel roads? I love that top image – it encapsulates the joy of living in such a semi-rural area. 🙂
Hi Reggie, Amy has just left for work. The Council decision has been made, so I doubt that any change to the decision will be forthcoming. Personally, I’m more upset as to how the decision was made. Only after polling the residents (which resulted in an unfavorable response) did Council decide it was in the “best interests of the Municipality.” Politicians, go figure…
My first thought regards run-off; that’s always my greatest concern with asphalt. Nothing but bad! However, there are some new alternatives to old-fashioned asphalt, that are more porous. You could appeal to your public officials to consider this. Also, I’m sure that before long, the asphalt will be ribbed with frost heaves….nothing but a nuisance!
Sorry!
Catharus, our councillor has promised to come out and check the potential for run-off problems in the spring once the snow has disappeared. An alternative, more porous road covering sounds wonderful (and possibly more expensive?)
Our winter temperatures here often hover around 0 celsius which means constant freezing and thawing. This takes such a toll on roads. However, I’d rather deal with potholes in gravel than in asphalt. I find the latter much worse on tires.
Can you submit your story to the local newspaper to get some attention on the issue. Stupid that they aren’t listening to what the residents want. I much prefer gravel roads.
That would be helpful Adrienne. Will give it a try. Yes, it is surprising that the concerns of the majority are not given more importance, especially when costs are so high.
I’m so sorry. It seems that people who build roads speak louder to elected officials than the people who are then forced to pay for the building of roads.
Gerry, yes it certainly seems that way. I think there are many who stand to gain by this work being done at our expense. .
Here where we live, there is nothing in place for asking residents along a road if they want it paved or not. When another paving is in the works, residents usually protest it but to no avail. But I can’t understand how your councillors went over the heads of the majority when the policy calls for a minimum of 50% approval. So sorry!
Pamela, we are still trying to find that out. You’d think the wishes of the majority would indeed carry more weight.
Oh Amy-Lynn, it really does rankle doesn’t it ? Did you submit this to the local papers as Adrienne suggests ? My condolences hon.
Sybil, rankle it does. Not submitted yet. Still trying to get some reasoning on the decision from our Councillor.
I live on a gravel road, too, for the same reasons that you do. Our residents are considering paving, and they’ve already chosen to tap into city water instead of our well. Rural living – if it’s not what one wants, why does he chose to live in the country? ❤
Stacy, I’ve come to the conclusion that most people now just move out to rural areas for the sake of cheaper land. Many really don’t care about the natural benefits of living here. They want a big house and the less they have to pay for land, the bigger the house they can build.
Isn’t that sad? How much house does one person need, anyway!? ❤
So…majority no longer rules? “It’s also easier when you don’t have to consider environmental impact.” No one seems to do so, anymore.
Los Angeles can no way be considered rural, but even so with money so lacking, road and sidewalk maintenance is rarely considered. Sidewalks buckle, streets are tarred – council rarely look beyond their own bargaining table to see the results of their decisions.
How sad, everywhere the same struggle. Paving Paradise in your area, paving mountain roads in my country to attract more cars in places meant for hiking, destroying flora, disturbing fauna… no end to a so-called “development”.
I hope a reasonable solution will be found.
Thank you for sharing your insightful article. I truly hope your town rules in favor of gravel roads. I grew up in a rural area with red dirt and gravel roads and recall fond memories of the country. Thirty plus years later, every road in that area is paved. No traffic problems but the younger generations are using the roads as raceways and throwing trash out of their windows. Guess who has to pick it up? Also, the area is still mainly farmlands so the impurities are going into the soil. A truly disheartening situation for sure on this end.
Just saw the article in the Beacon about the paving moving forward Amy-Lynn. What an ill thought out decision. This is not progress !