Road improvements for Burin-Placentia West

Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, and Mary Hodder, MHA - Burin-Placentia West, announced today extensive road work will be carried out in the district in 2002-/2003 as part of the provincial roads program.

"We are glad to respond to the much needed road upgrades in the district with a number of projects this year," said Minister Barrett. "Our goal of creating a better transportation infrastructure for the province can be seen in this road work."

Projects include:

• rehabilitation of Red Harbour River Bridge;
• rehabilitation of Red Harbour Bailey Bridge;
• resurfacing remaining section of Route 220 (from Creston North to Burin Hospital);
• upgrading section of Route 210-21, Rushoon Road (culverts and ditching);
• paving 2.3 kilometres through the community of Petit Forte; and
• upgrading roads in South East Bight.

"Substantial road work has been completed in my district during the past six years and although we realize there is never enought funding to accomplish all we would like to, this release will certainly be welcome news especially to the people in Red Harbour and Petite Forte who have lobbied me to get this work done," added Ms. Hodder.

The department expects to call tenders for the projects over the next several weeks.

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

2002 05 23              4:50 p.m.