Grandparents, mayor call for more moose fencing on Highway 11

Eight years after their daughter and son-in-law were killed in acollision with a moose onHighway 11 in Shediac,Jean Claude and Roseline Robichaud say they are determined to see moose fencing installed along the highway.

Marie-Eve and Robin Rousselle and their young son, Dylanwere returning to Dieppe on Oct. 2, 2010, after attending a family wedding in Neguac.

"They hit a moose between CocagneBridge and ShediacBridge," Robichaud said.

Two-year-old Dylansurvived the collision with no injuries. Robichaudcredits that to his parents properly securing him in his car seat.

The 10-year-old now lives with his grandparents, who had to tell him what happened to his parents.

"We told him the truth. I took his little hand and I said, 'Do you remember the accident?' and he said yes," said Roseline. "I said, 'Well Mom and Dad aren't coming back. They're dead.'"

Route 11 between Shediac and Campbellton has seen over 2,000 accidents in the past 20 years.

6 years ago

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Moose, deer and a lot of traffic can be a dangerous mix.

When Dylan asked where he would live, the Robichauds were quick to assure him they would take care of him.

"You could see in his little face that he understood what I was talking about."

Close to 3,000 accidents in 15 years

According to Transport and Infrastructure New Brunswick,there were close to 3,000 accidents on Route 11 between 1999 and 2015. Forty people have died on the highway that stretches from Campbellton to Moncton.

Many of the accidents are caused bydistracted driving and collisions with animals.

Since his daughter and son-in-law died, Jean-Claudehasbeen lobbying ceaselessly to have fencing erected along Highway 11, hoping to spare another family from his suffering.

"We'd like to see protection from bear, moose, deer, you name it. Especially moose, 'cause they're big and they're quick."

Even with the twinning of the highway expected to be completed by 2021, Robichaud wants to see fencing installed.

He's also calling for a longer moose season with more licencesissued to help control the population.

Locals avoid highway

Cocagnemayor Jean Hbertis also calling for moose fencing, especially in areas known for moose and vehicle collisions.

"There's a few places that are pathways for moose and moose, they are deadly. So if you can cut that a little bit, even saving one life, it would be worth spending the money."

Hbert said many of the community's residents won't even drive on Highway 11 because they don't want to hit a moose, especially in the spring.

"They seem to have a path which is not too far from here, maybe a kilometre that has had quite a few accidents," he said. "That's a major issue."

Instead, local drivers take a longer route through Shediac to avoid the highway.

Hbertsaid while he's not lobbying government officials for the fencing, he still thinks it should happen.