One of Atlantic Canada's worst roads dangerous for school children

The road toConcheis in the running again to topthe Canadian Automobile Association's Atlantic Canada's Worst Roadslist.

This is the third time in six years that Route 434 on the Northern Peninsulahas made the list and this year it's neck and neck for first place with a road to Branch, on the Avalon Peninsula.

"The potholes are from side to side and some of them are very deep and you can see where people aretravellingon the wrong side of the road to get toRoddicktonand also swerving to the soft shoulder to try to avoid the potholes," saidConcheDeputy Mayor CharleneKearney.

Residents say making the CAA'sworst roads listis one dubious honour they'd rather not win any year but now they say there is even more reason to pave the dirt road.

Not safe for school children

The local school in Conche, Sacred Heart All Grade,is under review by the English School District for possible closure. If it does shut down,students willbebussed overpothole-pockedRoute 434 to school every day.

"Our kids could be looking at an hour-and-a-half each morning and again in the evening," said Kearney.

"Ifsomething happened to the bus, who is supervising the children if they have to get off that bus on that gravel road where we have tractor-trailers coming and going all day long tothe plant here?" asked Kearney.

"I just feel like our kids are going to be a high risk for injury and forhopefullyno fatalities but it's going to be a high risk to them."

I think I'm going tohave poor Al Hawkins drove crazy.- Charlene Kearney

Kearney saidshe has been e-mailing the province's transportation minister repeatedly asking for Route 434 to be paved.

"I think I'm going tohave poor Al Hawkins drove crazy. I've been messaging himconstantly since Saturdaywith pictures and videos of the road conditions and I'm going to continue to do that."