January 26, 2000
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Highway cameras and Internet give drivers current road conditions

In an effort to provide the motoring public with the most up-to-date road and driving conditions, the Department of Works, Services and Transportation has turned to digital camera technology and the Internet. A camera installed at the Foxtrap weigh scales provides images on the department�s web site that the public can access.

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Rick Woodford hopes the site will encourage drivers to take a proactive approach to safe winter driving by providing a means of checking conditions before they head out on the road.

"People should be aware of what roads are like before they even get into their vehicles," said Mr. Woodford. "Hopefully, they will get into the habit of checking these photos so they can get current conditions and be better prepared for the drive."

The image is available for viewing via the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador web site at www.gov.nl.ca/ by clicking on Winter Driving Conditions. The photographs will be updated at five to 10 minute intervals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The time and date will be imprinted on the top portion of the photograph to provide the public with information on when the image was last updated. The lighting for nighttime images will be available next season.

The department plans to install cameras at four other weigh scale sites along the Trans Canada Highway over the next few months. These sites include Goobies, Grand Falls-Windsor, Pynn�s Brook and Port aux Basques.

The Department of Works, Services and Transportation is committed to providing the public with information so that they can make informed decisions about winter driving. Current road condition information is also available from the department by calling 1-900-451-3300 (for a fee of $.75) or by phoning one of the following numbers:

AVALON REGION 1-709-729-7669
EASTERN REGION 1-709-466-4160
CENTRAL REGION 1-709-292-4444
WESTERN REGION 1-709-635-4144
LABRADOR REGION 1-709-896-7888
(Standard long distance charges apply).

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2000 01 26                                             10:10 a.m.