Construction Company Ltd., and subsidiary Island Quarry Ltd., on the standard of local quarry materials.

In a letter to the Editor from East End Asphalt's vice president, Mrs. Julie E. Holder, the public is urged to reflect on a number of points when considering the issue.

She said: "Over the years local quarries have been unable to provide this firm alone with the amounts of consistent quality material it requires for asphalt production. East End Asphalt Co. Ltd. has in fact been importing bulk construction materials since 1971.'' Mrs. Holder was responding to a statement from Mr. Zane DeSilva, president and CEO of Island Construction Services Ltd. that his company can meet local demand for aggregate, and can do so less expensively than it would cost to import aggregate.

"Thousands of tons of material of a particular size, particular strength, and uncontaminated by any other product such as soil or clay, are required for quality asphalt pavement,'' she said.

"Local limestone rock crushes too easily, is too absorbent, and has a quick polishing action that does not discourage skidding. It is simply unsuitable for asphalt pavement forced to meet the needs of modern day heavy vehicular traffic.

"It is a matter of the suitability of the local material, not the availability. There has been a steadily increasing demand for the material since the 1980's.

"Over 200,000 tons of imported material have been brought into Bermuda over the last five years, utilised by ourselves and other general contractors who were required by contract obligations to use materials that could meet particular engineering specifications.

"Those utilising imported materials have not found its cost to be a disadvantage. Stock piles of imported stone and sand are held and dispatched by this firm from an area of approximately one acre. Island Quarry Ltd. has stated that it utilises 26 acres.