November 25, 1998
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Outer Ring Road officially opens

Premier Brian Tobin joined Works, Services and Transportation Minister Lloyd Matthews to officially open the first section of the Outer Ring Road and allow public access to the new modern highway for the first time. They were joined by Gerry Berigan, regional director general for Transport Canada, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette.

Premier Tobin said he was extremely pleased that the first section of the road has been completed. He said that the road will improve traffic flow in the capital city as well as have a positive impact on traffic in nearby surrounding communities. He said: "This thoroughfare will divert a significant portion of the daily traffic from Kenmount Road. This means less vehicles travelling on one of the major traffic arteries in the capital city. It will also be of tremendous benefit to motorists in Mount Pearl, Paradise and Torbay who want to access other communities without having to travel through some of the other heavier traffic areas within St. John's."

Transport Minister David Collenette said: "The Outer Ring Road has been a fundamental part of the St. John's Urban Regional Plan for nearly 25 years. I am delighted the federal government was able to play a key role through its financial contribution for a project that will provide enormous economic and safety benefits to the people of St. John's and surrounding communities."

Minister Matthews added that there were other benefits as well. He said: "Industrial traffic in and out of areas such as Donovans, O'Leary Avenue, and White Hills, as well as the airport's industrial area will have better access. This in turn will divert a good number of transport trucks, heavy equipment and dump trucks from residential streets and high traffic areas."

Mr. Matthews said he has received a great deal of positive feedback on the road to date and was confident that once motorists experience first-hand how modern and efficient the Outer Ring Road is, the majority of them will be pleased. Construction of the $68.2 million road, announced in 1988 as part of the Roads For Rails Agreement, began in 1994. It begins as a divided highway on the Trans Canada Highway near Pitts Memorial Drive and will continue through areas such as Thorburn Road, Pippy Park, Portugal Cove Road, and tie into White Hills Industrial Park.

Media contact:                 

John Doody
Director of Communications
Works, Services and Transportation
(709) 729-3015

Kevin Dormody
Transport Canada
Communications-St. John's
(709) 772-6197

Ministerial Statement

1998 11 25 10:15 a.m.