Twillingate-Fogo to benefit from provincial roads program

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced road projects for Twillingate-Fogo District which will be funded through the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Minister Rideout said, "Last year, the department awarded a contract valued at over $737,700 for the upgrading and paving of a section of Route 340 between the Walter B. Elliot Causeway and the Town of Twillingate. This included replacement of the guide rail on the Walter B. Elliot Causeway. Approximately $484,000 of last year�s funding for road work in the district will be carried over to this year.

"A substantial amount of work on the causeway and Route 340 was completed during the 2004 construction season. This included the removal and replacement of the guide rail on the causeway and widening and straightening the section of Route 340 from the causeway to Twillingate," said the minister. "This year�s work will focus on paving that section of Route 340."

"In addition, $550,000 in new funding will be used for upgrades in the district of Twillingate-Fogo," said the minister.

Other planned projects for the district include:

• $500,000 for upgrading and paving sections of Route 334 on Fogo Island;
• $25,000 for the replacement of a culvert on Route 333, Stag Harbour Road;
• $25,000 for the replacement of a culvert on Route 345, Tizzard�s Harbour Road.

"A priority of our government is ensuring a safe and reliable roads infrastructure," said Minister Rideout. "This year�s Provincial Roads Improvement Program saw the continuation of a $30 million allocation in Budget 2005, plus $3.7 million in carryovers from the previous year. This is part of government�s ongoing commitment to rehabilitating our provincial roads infrastructure."

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

2005 05 24                             10:15 a.m.