Minister announces awarding of contract for road work in Bonavista South district

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced the awarding of a contract for road work in the Bonavista South district under the 2004-05 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

"I am pleased to announce that J-1 Contracting Limited of Clarenville has been awarded a contract valued at over $1.1 million for road work in the Bonavista South district," said Minister Rideout. "Part of this government�s overall commitment to providing a safe and reliable highway network is the maintenance of existing trunk roads. To that end, we plan to carry out road work on several routes in the Bonavista South district to the betterment of roads in the region."

Road work planned for the district includes:

• Upgrading and paving a section of Route 234, Winterbrook;
• Upgrading and recapping a section of Route 235, Plate Cove East;
• Upgrading and recapping a section of Route 230, near Halfway Point;
• Culvert installations on Route 235, Plate Cove West.

"Part of our plan to rejuvenate rural Newfoundland and Labrador is to maintain and improve our existing highway infrastructure," said Minister Rideout. "This is essential as we work toward a comprehensive infrastructure strategy for the province."

MHA Roger Fitzgerald said, "This government is committed to revitalizing rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and we believe improved infrastructure is an essential component to achieving this objective. These repairs and upgrades to sections of Routes 230, 234 and 235 represent a strategic investment that will benefit the communities, economies and people of my rural district."

Statistics Canada estimates that for every million dollars spent on road work, 12 direct and eight indirect jobs are created.

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, Communications, (709) 729-3015 or (709) 690-8403

2004 09 01                     2:43 p.m.