July 28, 1998
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Road construction projects announced for Northern Peninsula

Premier Brian Tobin, and Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, together with Chuck Furey, MHA - St. Barbe, and Chris Decker, MHA - The Straits and White Bay North, today announced funding for various road construction projects along the Northern Peninsula. The projects, valued at almost $5 million, will go to tender within the next two to three weeks.

Route 430 from the Roddickton Intersection towards St. Barbe, approximately 20 kilometres in total, will be upgraded and paved. As well, approximately 15 kilometres of Route 432, from the Roddickton Intersection to Main Brook, will be upgraded and paved. These two projects have an estimated value of $4.5 million.

"Investment in the province's highways and road infrastructure is in an important part of government's overall strategy for economic development," said Premier Tobin. "Maintaining an efficient network of highway routes throughout the province is a key component of economic renewal in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Lloyd Matthews says the projects will be funded under the Trans Canada Highway Initiative. "We have a commitment from Transport Canada to accelerate funding for these projects in order to begin construction this year," said Minister Matthews. "Upgrading and maintaining the province's regional trunk roads is a priority for the department."

St. Barbe MHA Chuck Furey says he's anxious to see work on these projects begin. "People all along the Northern Peninsula rely on these highways for the movement of goods and services into their communities. I think we all appreciate the fact we can start making improvements to these thoroughfares within the next few weeks."

Today's announcement is welcome news said Chris Decker. "Government realizes the importance of maintaining quality thoroughfares to communities all along the Northern Peninsula. I am pleased that government was able to secure the necessary funding to begin work on these much needed projects."

In addition to these two projects, tenders will also be called within the next two to three weeks for three projects, valued at approximately $550,000, under the provincial roads program. These include resurfacing local roads at Portland Creek and paving local roads at Forrester's Point, Black Duck Cove, Pigeon Cove and from St. Anthony to Fishing Point.

Contact: Jill Sooley, (709) 729-3015.

1998 07 28 11:40 a.m.