How’s this for a highway obstacle? A middle-of-the-road hydro pole

COOKSHIRE-EATON, Que. – Allegations of corruption aren’t the only plague upon Quebec’s road construction network these days.

Officials say they are dealing with the puzzling appearance of a utility pole — smack in the middle of a provincial highway east of Montreal.

A photo of the pole, which is in the middle of Highway 251 in the Eastern Townships, appeared in local newspapers today.

Locals say it’s been there for two months.

The roadway had been moved to avoid a dangerous curb, but the Hydro Quebec utility says it was only advised about the need to move its cables about three weeks ago.

But by then, the roadwork was already done.

A spokeswoman for the utility says a new pole is being installed and the electrical wires and telephone wires should be moved by the end of the week.

The provincial minister in charge of the region assured reporters at an event in Sherbrooke today that proper precautions would be taken to ensure there was adequate signage in the area.

Highway 251 is a 38-kilometre stretch of provincial highway that runs north-south.

The improbable road obstacle has, fortunately, not caused any harm. Quebec provincial police say they’ve had no reports of accidents despite the bizarre pole placement.