News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  


August 20, 1999
(Works, Services and Transportation)


Largest capital construction program since Confederation

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Rick Woodford says the large majority of construction contracts have now been awarded for this year's Capital Roads Program, the largest single year program in the 50 year history of the province.

In this fiscal year government is spending $119.5 million for capital road construction.

This includes:

  • $56 million for the Roads for Rail projects ($32.4 million for Trans Canada Highway upgrading and $23.5 million for Regional Trunk Roads);

  • $46 million for the Trans Labrador Highway (Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador West costing $10 million) (Red Bay to Cartwright costing $36 million);

  • $17.5 million for provincial capital roads projects.

Mr. Woodford said this year's program also includes $4 million for other capital programs such as airstrip and wharf improvements.

Mr. Woodford said the province is now holding discussions with the federal government with a view to obtaining accelerated funding under the Road for Rails Agreement and that he expects to be in a position to make a more definitive announcement in this regard in the near future.

He said the expenditure of $32.5 million on the TCH will ensure that the highway is upgraded and remains is good condition throughout the entire province. Further upgrading on the TCH will be concentrated between Badger and South Brook and between Port aux Basques and North Branch River.

The province is spending $10 million this year to finish the road from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador West and earlier this summer awarded contracts valued at $36 million to begin construction of the section of highway from Red Bay to Cartwright.

The construction of the 355 kilometre Red Bay to Cartwright Highway - including the access road to Charlottetown - is a four-year, $130 million project.

Government earlier determined that interest accumulated on the Trans Labrador Initiative together with cost savings achieved from current projects will enable the province to proceed with construction of the access road to St. Lewis.

Minister Woodford announced today that there will be early tendering for the year 2000 phase of the Red Bay to Cartwright Road including St. Lewis. "Our plan is to award tenders this fall so that construction can start in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground."

He said the completion of the Red Bay to Cartwright Highway will eliminate the isolation of many Labrador communities and enable them to take advantage of more and more economic opportunities.

The minister said that under the provincial program, the government is continuing to pave gravel roads and resurface deteriorated sections all throughout the province.

Mr. Woodford said the time is right for the province to undertake such an extensive and elaborate highway and roads infrastructure program.

"This large volume of highway and road infrastructure projects is being undertaken for the benefit of the people of the province," Mr. Woodford said. "These infrastructure projects are vitally important to all residents and they contribute significantly to our tourism industry. As well, they create meaningful employment opportunities and they make a significant contribution to the entire economy of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Gary Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

1999 08 20 9:30 a.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement