NLIS 6
April 10, 2003
(Works, Services and Transportation)

 

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

Satellite phone pilot project for
Trans Labrador Highway

Late yesterday afternoon tenders closed for the provision of 60 satellite phones for use in a pilot project on the Trans Labrador Highway. Officials from my department are presently evaluating the bids received and we expect to be able to announce the successful bidder within the next day or two. The use of these satellite phones for the pilot project will extend from Labrador West to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Over the last few months my department has worked closely with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Labrador City-Wabush Rotary Club to address communication issues along the Trans Labrador Highway. The portable phones will be available for pick-up at designated locations in Churchill Falls, Labrador City, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This plan was brought forth by the Rotary Club and from the time it was conceived we have considered it very appropriate to the given situation. This appropriateness will be more precisely determined upon the pilot project�s completion.

The pilot project will begin once the phones have been delivered, expected to be in about four weeks. Through this pilot project we hope to achieve a number of objectives. We hope to assess the impact of improved communications on the safety of the motoring public and determine if this arrangement is appropriate to address communications issues along the Trans Labrador Highway. We also hope to determine the applicability of the concept to other remote transportation routes, such as northern Labrador during winter conditions.

I would like to commend the Rotary Club in Labrador City for this idea and we look forward to our continued cooperation with local organizations in Labrador. I am anticipating very positive results from this project in how it will benefit all who may use the Trans Labrador Highway.

2003 04 10                                       1:55 p.m. 


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