November 3, 1999
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Major contracts awarded for next phase of Red Bay to Cartwright Highway

Premier Brian Tobin; Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation; Ernie McLean, Minister Responsible for Labrador; and Yvonne Jones, MHA for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair, today announced that six tenders will be called November 6 for Red Bay to Cartwright highway construction projects. Two tenders will also be called in Spring 2000 for the Alexis and St. Lewis River Bridges. These eight projects will total $46 million.

Government also announced funding of $1.4 million for two major highways depots for the Trans Labrador Highway. The depots will be constructed at the half-way point between Churchill Falls and Goose Bay and at the half-way point between Churchill Falls and Labrador City.

Funding for the highway and bridge projects as well as the depots will flow from the Labrador Transportation Initiative - a $340 million federal-provincial agreement which saw the province assume control of the marine coastal service to Labrador.

Construction of the 380-kilometre Red Bay to Cartwright Highway is a four-year, $130 million project.

The highway and bridge construction contracts announced today and six contacts awarded earlier this year represent total expenditures of $82 million on the Red Bay to Cartwright Highway during the 1999/2000 seasons.

An additional $48 million will be spent on the Red Bay to Cartwright Highway during the 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 construction years to complete this phase of the Trans-Labrador Highway project.

The initial phase included construction of the highway from Labrador West to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

It is estimated that the Red Bay to Cartwright project will create approximately 5,500 seasonal jobs.

Premier Tobin said the construction of this all-weather, first class, gravel highway is important to residents and businesses in all parts of Labrador and that it makes imminent sense to call and award tenders now so that construction can start as soon as the frost is out of the ground. "Government recognizes that there is a clear need for a combination of good road, air and marine services throughout Labrador and this work is a sign of government's continuing commitment to ensuring that these goals are fully realized."

Mr. Woodford said every dollar under this initiative is being used to build the Trans-Labrador Highway and to maintain and improve ferry services in this portion of the province. "This announcement today makes it possible for the province to undertake construction of another 143.4 kilometres of the Red Bay to Cartwright Highway. Upon completion, it will mean that Labrador residents will be able to rely on a dependable transportation system for both personal travel and the movement of goods and services. These are major investments and they will have positive and significant impacts on the Labrador region."

Mr. McLean said: "The Trans Labrador Highway is a commitment to future generations and this announcement is a great step in our plan to ensure that residents and businesses in Labrador are provided with an improved transportation network. This work will result in the creation of new jobs and improve year round distribution of goods. It will also improve tourism opportunities and increase access to existing potential resource developments in mining and forestry."

Ms. Jones said she and her colleagues in government will make every effort to ensure employment opportunities for the people of Labrador. As well, special care will be taken to protect Labrador's pristine environment. "Upon completion, the Red Bay to Cartwright Highway will give Labradorians an increased sense of freedom and mobility. The movement of people, goods and services to and from local, national and international markets is key to our economic competitiveness and this new corridor will forge new connections for all of us."

Media contact:

Heidi Bonnell
Premier's Office
(709) 729-3960

Lynn Evans
Works, Services and Transportation
(709) 729-3015

1999 11 03 2:00 p.m.