On timing, appropriate

The current edition of Maclean's has another in what has turned into a series of national media pieces in recent months (Canadian Geographic, L'Actualité, CBC, La Presse, Radio-Canada)on the plight of the Lower North Shore and the dream of a highway all the way to Blanc Sablon and Labrador beyond. Martin Patriquin writes, in part:

"If the road doesn't come in, it won't just be us," says Tête[-à-la-Baleine] resident Martin Marcoux, who owns the local auberge. "They're going to have to move the entire Lower North Shore." In 2006, the Charest government announced $100 million over 10 years for an extension of the road to the Labrador border — by which time, people here say half-jokingly, they'll either be dead or in Alberta.

This would be the same road referenced in the following March 1, 2005 Canadian Press report regarding the fixed link pre-feasability study, long-delayed and promptly forgotten, but then just-released:

[Premier Danny ]Williams said construction of a fixed link would be a 15-year project. He said it would require the participation of Quebec to build a 350-kilometre highway along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

"Nothing happens here unless the Quebec north shore gets done," he said.

"In order to make this economically feasible and viable from any perspective, (highway) 138 has to be completed."

He said he will speak to Quebec Premier Jean Charest "at the appropriate time."

This corner agrees: the Williams Government Memorial Tunnel makes no sense, on any level, without Route 138.

And that was three years ago, today.

How much longer until "the appropriate time"?

Or is "volatility" still a problem?

If so, on which side of the border and Gulf?