March 22, 1999
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Capital Road Program largest since Confederation

The province is embarking on an ambitious capital program, Lloyd Matthews, Acting Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, said today following the provincial budget.

"Government will spend $118 million this fiscal year for capital road construction, the largest since Confederation," said the minister. "The road program includes $56 million for Roads for Rails projects, $46 million for the Trans Labrador Highway and $16 million for provincial capital roads program."

This year's Works, Services and Transportation budget also includes $16.3 million for other capital programs such as airstrip maintenance, wharf construction and ferry services.

"Over the next two to three years, government will spend $168.6 million for new hospital construction as well as $80 million to complete construction of the new Janeway Children's Hospital and for the redevelopment of the Health Sciences Centre and St. Clare's General Hospital, and $125 million on schools," said Minister Matthews. "We anticipate completing this capital construction program in the year 2001-2002."

The minister said the time is right to undertake such a significant capital program. "Government's fiscal prudence has made it possible to implement a plan to build new hospitals, schools and roads to ensure safe, modern facilities and infrastructure for the people of this province."

"Today's budget recognizes the importance of developing our infrastructure and transportation systems," said Minister Matthews. "These improvements are vitally important to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and we will continue to consult with industry groups and the general public to ensure tax dollars are invested wisely."

The minister noted that such a significant capital program will contribute significantly to the province's economy in the coming years. He said that tenders will be called as quickly as possible to ensure early start dates for construction.

In addition to capital construction programs, some improvements were also announced with respect to marine services.

Minister Matthews noted that the Bell Island ferry service will see a significant upgrade with the M/V Beaumont Hamel replacing the M/V Catherine in addition to the M/V Flanders. Upgrading of the terminal facilities is expected to be completed this year.

"The Labrador Straights ferry operations were significantly improved last year," the minister continued, "and some scheduling changes will be made this year to accommodate the expected increase in traffic and freight associated with the construction of the Trans Labrador Highway."

The contract for the coastal Labrador freight service will be enhanced significantly over last year, Minister Matthews said. "The vessel M/V Nada, which replaces the Northern Cruiser, has a larger capacity to meet the increasing demand on the coast. The M/V Nada, together with the M/V Astron should provide an improved freight service to the region."

Minister Matthews said he is pleased to also note that consultation with ferry user committees and representative organizations will start shortly as part of the review of the intra-provincial ferry service rate policy. The review was announced in January as part of government's freeze on ferry rates.

Today's budget also includes funding for the $3 million wharf project for Farewell, with project completion expected in 2000-2001. As well, $500,000 has been set aside to complete the Man o' War ferry terminal on Fogo Island. This will improve the level of servicing for the M/V Earl Winsor, said the minister.

Media contact: John Doody, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

BACKGROUNDER
Capital Program for fiscal year 1999-2000

Following is the Department of Works, Services and Transportation's capital projects for fiscal year 1999-2000 listed according to electoral district.

BAIE VERTE

Upgrade and pave various sections of highway on the Baie Verte Peninsula

Replacement of multiplate at Baie Verte River and repair foundations at Bullies Brook

BAY OF ISLANDS

Repair retaining wall at Mount Moriah

Install culvert at Gillams Hill, Route 440

BELLEVUE

Complete paving of local roads Old Shop (carry-over from 1998-99)

Upgrade and resurface sections of road in the district

Remove timber retaining wall, Monkstown

BONAVISTA NORTH

Paving 0.8 km Parsons Point (carry-over from 1998-99)

Restore armour stone Greenspond Causeway

Resurface section Wesleyville-Valleyfield

Replace timber culvert Route 331 near Rogers Cove intersection

Replace culvert Route 331 near department depot Victoria Cove

BONAVISTA SOUTH

Resurface section of road at Lethbridge

BURGEO-LAPOILE

Resurface various roads in district

BURIN-PLACENTIA WEST

Resurface section of Route 221

CAPE ST. FRANCIS

Nil

CARBONEAR-HARBOUR GRACE

Nil

CARTWRIGHT-L'ANSE AU CLAIR

Nil

CONCEPTION BAY EAST-BELL ISLAND

Minor upgrade and resurfacing section of Thorburn Road from City of St. John's boundary towards St. Philips

CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH

Nil

EXPLOITS

Miscellaneous pipe replacement Route 350 and Route 352

FERRYLAND

Upgrade and pave section of Burnt Cove Road

FORTUNE BAY-CAPE LA HUNE

Upgrading section Route 361, St. Alban's Road

GANDER

Replace arch, culverts Route 330 near Jonathan's Pond Park

GRAND BANK

Upgrade and resurface four km Route 210, Garnish intersection towards Frenchman's Cove (carry-over from 1998-99)

Resurface section Route 220 from Hungry Pond towards Point May

GRAND FALLS-BUCHANS

Upgrade section of Millertown Road, Route 370-11

HARBOUR MAIN-WHITBOURNE

Nil

HUMBER EAST

Nil

HUMBER VALLEY

Paving local roads in Sop's Arm and Pollard's Point

Upgrade and pave a section of Jackson's Arm road

Install Bailey Bridge at Trout River

HUMBER WEST

Nil

KILBRIDE

Resurface section Route 2, Pitts Memorial Drive from Kilbride underpass towards TCH

LABRADOR WEST

Nil

LAKE MELVILLE

Upgrade various roads in district

LEWISPORTE

Replace three 2,000 mm culverts Route 341 Brown's Arm

Replace 2,000 mm culvert Route 221 near Stoneville intersection

Upgrade section of Route 342

MOUNT PEARL

Nil

PLACENTIA-ST. MARY'S

Nil

PORT AU PORT

Resurface section of Route 463, Lourdes to Piccadilly Port de Grave

Resurface various roads in district

ST. BARBE

Upgrade and pave local roads at Forresters Point, Black Duck Cove and Portland Creek (carry-over from 1998-99)

Pave various roads in district

ST. GEORGE'S-STEPHENVILLE EAST

Resurface section of Main Street in St. George=s

Upgrade and pave Mattis Point road

ST. JOHN'S CENTRE

Nil

ST. JOHN'S EAST

Nil

ST. JOHN'S NORTH

Nil

ST. JOHN'S SOUTH

Nil

ST. JOHN'S WEST

Nil

SIGNAL HILL-QUIDI VIDI

Nil

TERRA NOVA

Resurface sections of Route 233 at Musgravetown including improvements to intersection at Barricks Hill

THE STRAITS-WHITE BAY NORTH

Pave a section of Cook's Harbour Road

Pave St. Lunaire and Griquet

TOPSAIL

Nil

TORNGAT MOUNTAINS

Nil

TRINITY-BAY DE VERDE

Reconstruct short section of road at Lead Cove

Replace Black Head River bridge

TRINITY NORTH

Replace bridge at Little Heart's Ease

Paving various roads throughout the district

TWILLINGATE-FOGO

Rehabilitation Salt Harbour Island bridge (carry-over from 1998-99)

Pave various roads on New World Island

VIRGINIA WATERS

Nil

WATERFORD VALLEY

Nil

WINDSOR-SPRINGDALE

Upgrade and pave local road at Roberts Arm

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Calcium chloride on various gravel roads throughout the province

1999 03 22