Roads budget gets $6 million upgrade

Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, announced today that $6 million has been added to the provincial capital roads budget, bringing the total 2001-2002 investment to $22 million.

"During the Jobs and Growth consultations we repeatedly heard requests for more funding for transportation," said Minister Barrett. "We know there�s a lot of work to be done on provincial roads and government has responded with this extra funding."

The $6 million increase will be used entirely for the paving and road reconstruction component of the provincial capital roads program. This is a 50 per cent increase over the $12 million spent last year on this component. The remaining $4 million from the 2000-2001 roads budget was spent on bridge construction and rehabilitation, culvert installation, and calcium chloride for dust control, as it will be again this year.

In the 2000-2001 budget government announced it would spend $6 million over two years for improvements to roads in northern Labrador. Of that amount, $1.5 million was spent last year for road upgrading in Nain and Makkovik. The remaining $4.5 million will be used to complete the Nain and Makkovik projects and to upgrade roads in Postville, Hopedale and Rigolet.

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernest McLean said he's pleased with the progress being made to improve roads in northern Labrador. "There's a desperate need to upgrade the road systems on the north coast, and I'm pleased government has recognized this need."

In February, the provincial and federal governments announced a $50.3 million allocation for 2001-2002 for the province under the Roads For Rails Agreement. This year, government will also spend $43 million on construction of phase two of the Trans Labrador Highway, making this year�s total funding for highways in the province $119.8 million. The combined provincial and federal investment of almost $120 million in construction projects this year will contribute significantly to the success of the province�s construction industry. This is consistent with requests made during Jobs and Growth consultations for government to help create a climate which fosters economic development in the province and encourages private sector growth.

Government has also increased maintenance funding for the province�s highways. To help with increasing costs associated with providing winter maintenance services, government has increased the department�s salt and sand budget by $1.2 million for a total of $11.8 million. It has also allocated $1.1 million for snow and ice control between Red Bay and Charlottetown on the Trans Labrador Highway, an increase of $500,000. Government has also budgeted $285,000 in new funding for summer maintenance on this section of highway, which will be used primarily for grading.

"I'm very pleased to see construction continue on phase two of the Trans Labrador Highway," said Mr. McLean. "The completion of this section of the highway will open new opportunities for future economic growth in the region. As well, funding for winter and summer maintenance should ensure the road is kept up to acceptable standards."

"Government has listened to the people of the province and I believe our investment in road construction and maintenance shows our commitment to improving the highway infrastructure in our province," Minister Barrett said.

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

2001 03 22             4:55 p.m.