St. George's - Stephenville East getting $8 million road upgrades

Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, and Kevin Alyward, MHA - St. George's - Stephenville East, today announced the award of three contracts, valued at over $8.37 million, for road improvement projects in the district of St. George's - Stephenville East. 

Earlier this summer, Humber Valley Paving Ltd of Corner Brook were awarded a contract valued at $6,789,558.60 to upgrade and pave the Trans Canada Highway in the Tompkins area (km 843 to km 870). Work has started on this project and will be completed by late fall.

Marine Contractors Ltd. of Pasadena were awarded a $1,476,707.92 contract in late July to resurface various areas along Routes 463, 461, 460 and to carry out various repairs to the Trans Canada Highway. Work has recently started on this project and will be completed by mid-October.

A contract valued at $108,362.20 for bridge upgrades in the St. George's area has been awarded to Can Am Construction Ltd.of Mount Pearl. Work will include the rehabilitation of John's Brook Bridge and Moly Chigic Brook Bridge, including refurbishing the curbs and replacing the concrete handrail with aluminum handrail. Work has recently started on this project and will be completed by September 30, 2001.

"These projects are part of our ongoing commitment to improve the transportation network in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Barrett. "Motorists travelling in these areas will see a significant improvement in driving conditions when the work is completed."

Kevin Aylward, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said: "This area of the province sees significant travel by, not only the people who live in these areas but also by, tourists and companies transporting goods throughout the province. This road work will provide necessary improvements."

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

2001 08 14                                                 3:30 p.m.