Some residents are concerned that roadside trimming along Highway 3A is an eyesore and will potentially affect property values, but Yellowhead Road and Bridge general manager Norm McNee told the Star the work isn’t yet complete.
“Right when it’s first cut, just like any tree you prune, it doesn’t look especially appealing,” said McNee, who noted they had a few complaints from residents.
Crews razed the side of the highway with a brusher, removing vegetation and improving sight visibility, as required by their maintenance contract with the government.
Once the brusher worked its way through, crews came behind to reduce the mangled branches into mulch.
McNee estimates they have about a day or two of work left.
North Shore retired fire chief Les Howard said he’s lived in the area for 43 years and never seen such destruction.
“I remember when they had a sickle and would cut the sweetgrass down for vision purposes, which is good.”
But he believes the work YRB is currently doing is less necessary.
“It doesn’t enhance the landscape or the natural beauty we have. There’s not too many people along the North Shore on both sides who don’t keep their property pretty respectable.”