Premier Blaine Higgs, Hampton MLA Gary Crossman and Transportation Minister Bill Oliver took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the redeveloped Darlings Island Road on Dec. 6, 2019. (Photo: Brad Perry)
There was a party-like atmosphere at the entrance to Darlings Island on Friday.
Residents were joined by politicians to mark the official opening of the redeveloped Darlings Island Road.
Crews have spent the past few months raising and realigning the road to prevent future flooding.
Jim and Gail Eastwood, who live on the island, said they were glad to see this project happen.
“Not to have to worry about having to catch a boat to get off the island anymore and have a vehicle on the island and off the island so you’re able to travel,” said Jim Eastwood.
Residents were routinely cut off for several days in the spring as rising water levels flooded a portion of the only road leading to the mainland.
Higgs jokes that “Uber Rob” will be disappointed by the raised roadway. Rob DeKany ferried people to and from the island when the road was closed due to flooding. pic.twitter.com/9dDUCPS5Ut
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) December 6, 2019
Rob Dekany, who became known as “Uber Rob”, volunteered his time the past two years ferrying people back and forth in his boat.
But residents hope raising the road — by over two metres in some areas — will prevent it from being flooded again in the future.
“There’s a few people gonna be disappointed [by the project], Uber Rob’s not gonna be happy,” Premier Blaine Higgs joked during Friday’s ribbon-cutting, which drew laughter from residents.
Hampton MLA Gary Crossman, who advocated for the project for some time, said it was important for the safety of residents.
“They’re all good people that contribute to society. They go to school, they work, they have appointments. This now makes it happen without any worries at all,” said Crossman.
Officials said the project cost just under $1 million.
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