NLIS 1
May 10, 2001
(Works, Services and Transportation)

The following statement was issued today by Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Provincial roads program

Today I would like to follow up on an announcement government made when the provincial budget was handed down in March.

At that time, government reiterated its commitment to improving transportation infrastructure in the province and outlined funding for provincial highways and roads. Government announced we would invest $22 million into our roads this year - a $6 million increase over last year. This is a tremendous investment in the roads in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

I personally travelled to many communities and met with residents to discuss roads in their respective areas. I listened to these people and we are now following through on our commitment. Over the past week my department has been announcing specific projects throughout the province that will respond to their requests.

While not all needs can be addressed in one year, I believe the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will be pleased with the roads program we have prepared for this year, with its extra emphasis on paving gravel roads. 

Added to the $22 million roads budget is the $4.5 million government is investing in coastal roads in northern Labrador, and the $2 million, representing 20 per cent of the cost, that we have committed towards the construction of the Long Island Causeway, if our federal counterparts agree to cost-share this project. This puts our provincial investment at $28.5 million. 

To these provincial investments we add the $50.3 million announced in February under the federal/provincial Roads For Rails Agreement, and the $43 million we will spend on construction of phase two of the Trans Labrador Highway, making this year's total funding for highways in the province $121.8 million. My department is also planning to upgrade several wharves around the province, including a $1.5 million project for St. Barbe.

My department has started calling tenders for the roads projects and we look forward to working with the construction industry in what we believe will be a very successful construction season.

We recognize there is a need for more upgrading of our highways and roads. But funding for road improvements has to be balanced with funding for health care, education and costs associated with providing other government services to the public. 

This is a significant investment in our highway infrastructure. At almost $122 million, it is one of the highest allocations since Confederation. During our Jobs and Growth consultations last year, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians told us they wanted government to invest more in transportation infrastructure. Government is responding to that request and investing more in transportation in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

2001 05 10                                       2:00 p.m.