Minister announces awarding of contract for road work in Trinity North district

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced the awarding of a contract for road work in the Trinity North district to Terra Nova Industries Limited of Glovertown under the 2004-05 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

"This year�s provincial budget allocated $30 million to the provincial roads program, a $7 million increase over and above the previous year," said Minister Rideout. "Included in this program are funds for upgrading and improving provincial trunk roads. To that end, Terra Nova Industries Limited has been awarded a contract valued at over $630,400 for road work in the Trinity North district.

"Road work planned for the district includes upgrading and recapping seven roads in Hickman�s Harbour, upgrading a section of Route 204-18, Butter Cove Road, upgrading a section of Route 204-15-6 in Little Heart�s Ease, upgrading a section of Route 204-12-1 in Hodges Cove and asphalt patching to four areas of the Trans Canada Highway in the district," said Minister Rideout.

MHA Ross Wiseman said, "I am pleased that government has increased funding for the annual roads improvement program by $7 million. This extra funding will go a long way to improving infrastructure throughout the province, further increasing the economic potential of our communities and public safety."

"These repairs are part of government�s overall plan to develop a comprehensive infrastructure strategy for the province that will be evidence-based," said the minister. "We have a plan to revitalize rural Newfoundland and Labrador by making positive investments that will benefit the local economy and create employment opportunities."

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 14               10:25 a.m.