Jack Danylchuk
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 7, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Keeping roadside rest areas free of litter is a priority, but not the top one, for NWT Transportation workers, says Michael Conway, regional superintendent for the North Slave.

"We try and schedule crews to go there twice a week but that is not their only responsibility," Conway said.

"If they are working on a public safety issue like a pothole on the highway, that is their first priority."

After media reports drew attention to accumulations of litter at roadside stops between Yellowknife and Behchoko, road crews raked the areas clean of bottles, cartons, paper scraps, cups and food packages.

Conway said that this year road crews have noticed an increase in the amount of trash around highway rest areas.

"We're seeing more household garbage, and on occasion I'm sure ravens rip it up and a wind will blow it around. We've told our crews as much as possible to clean up the general area."

Conway said the solution is for the Transportation department and the public to work together to keep highway rest areas clean.

So far, the Transportation and Tourism departments say they have not received complaints from travellers about litter at the rest areas.