Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 23/00) - If you're one of those folks who owns a car or hires the occasional cab, you're probably one of those people with a complaint about the crater-sized potholes that grace the maze of Iqaluit streets.

It's time to pack away those worries. Help is apparently on its way.

Rick Butler, the chief administrative officer of the Town of Iqaluit, said a plan to address the extremely poor quality of the roads will be presented to the newly-elected municipal council.

"We're bringing to council a very ambitious road upgrading program," said Butler.

"But it won't get done overnight."

A population boom combined with years of neglect and inadequate maintenance brought the capital's streets to the all-time low where they now sit.

"Everybody agrees we need to do something with the roads.The administration has been very busy pulling together a plan," said Butler.

As for cab driver Mark Hobson and his complaints about the huge pieces of rock thrown on the streets to provide traction, Butler said the fill material is being screened.

Butler also said that he always listens to complaints and that he has done everything he can to address concerns about road conditions in Iqaluit.