Congratulations are in order for the people who keep our roads in great shape despite the almost relentless rain, downed trees and storm after storm. O'Brien Road and Bridge Maintenance Ltd., based in Port Clements, takes on this tough job year round, and has just been recognized as one of two finalists in BC by the Ministry of Transportation in Victoria. The Deputy Minister's Contractors' Awards were handed out December 3 at the Empress Hotel in Victoria. The first-place winner in the maintenance category was Argo from the Kamloops area, and O'Brien's, along with Yellowhead Contracting (from the Nechako area) were finalists.
"It's nice, after 16 years, to get some recognition," said Gloria O'Brien, who attended the ceremony. "It was great!" The Ministry selected three top-performing contractors from across the province to be recognized for their work. The award luncheon was attended by over 400 people, she said, and it included slideshows and video presentations of their trucks and workers. O'Brien also looks after the roads in the Prince Rupert area. "It's more high-profile over there," she said.
Don Ramsay at the Ministry of Transportation in Terrace was the one who suggested O'Brien's for the award. "They're doing a good job," he said. "I was impressed by how much sand was out thereÂ… and they're sensitive to local needs." He was also impressed that they delayed brushing on Tow Hill Road until after the berries ripened, when local residents complained. "Stuff like that," said Mr. Ramsay