A shortage of liquid asphalt in this province means work along a busy portion of the Trans-Canada Highway will not be finished until next month. But officials assure that the work hasn’t been forgotten.

An eastbound portion of the TCH near Thomas Pond has been reduced to one lane for several weeks. Drivers have expressed frustration with the associated slowdowns.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says repairs to the concrete are required along the route. The lane reduction was necessary as it takes time for the concrete to cure.

However, a fresh shipment of liquid asphalt will not arrive in-province until early October, meaning the road won’t be back to normal for some time.

The department says both lanes will be reopened in the area to ease traffic congestion, but the speed limit will remain at 50 km/h until the paving is completed.