NLIS 3
January 13, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
 


Road from Red Bay to Lodge Bay will remain open as weather conditions permit

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Trevor Taylor, Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, today announced that the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay, on the southeast coast of Labrador, will remain open as weather conditions in the area permit.

Minister Rideout said: "As long as our contractor can clear away snow from this road, with plow trucks, it will remain open to the traveling public. Once conditions in the area deteriorate and our contractor is unable to clear the road with their plows, the road will close until the end of April.

"Our government recognizes that individuals and businesses on the south coast of Labrador depend on this road. However, maintaining this road is an issue of public safety. Since this road opened in the fall of 2000, severe winter conditions have made it unsafe for winter driving.

"There are approximately 16 significant rock cuts, roughly at the mid-point of this road that quickly fill with six to eight metres of snow during a storm. During three of the past four winters, this section of road has been closed for a significant period of time. For example, the road was closed for 68 days last year and 72 days in 2003."

"To assist with transportation in Labrador, our government recently announced $240,000 in funding for winter trail grooming grants. Included in this funding are allocations to the local economic development corporations in the area to ensure that residents have a viable transportation alternative," said Minister Rideout.

Minister Taylor believes that this is the latest example of the provincial government being responsive to local concerns while acknowledging its financial limitations. "Our government continues to listen and respond to the views of Labradorians," said the minister. "Throughout the province, we continue to see many demands for government investment, and we are making responsible decisions that are within our limited fiscal capacity. Keeping the Red Bay to Lodge Bay road open when weather permits is a good example of this pragmatism."

Media contact:
   Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, Transportation and Works, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403
   Alex Marland, Communications, Labrador Affairs, (709) 729-3733, 690-6047

2005 01 13                                   11:55 a.m. 


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