Road improvements announced for Gander district

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Kevin O�Brien, MHA for Gander district, today announced road projects for the district valued at $650,000 under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

"As part of government�s ongoing commitment to provide a safe and reliable provincial roads infrastructure, $30 million, plus an additional $3.7 million carried over from last year, has been allocated for road upgrades under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program," said Minister Rideout. "The program provides funding for a number of projects, including improvements to major trunk roads, community access and local roads."

Gander district will see the upgrading and paving of a section of Gander Bay Road, Route 330, with work anticipated to cost $300,000. Another project for the district will be upgrading the Cooper Boulevard-Gander Bay Road Intersection. This project is valued at $350,000.

Gander MHA Kevin O�Brien said: "Increasing public safety at the Cooper Boulevard-Gander Bay Road Intersection is a top priority for me. It is a high-traffic area and these upgrades will ensure this area is safe for the traveling public. Upgrades and repairs to Gander Bay Road, Route 330, will make traveling to and from Gander easier for the many residents, business travelers and tourists who use it."

"Road work projects aid in the development of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Road work creates employment opportunities," said the minister. "Our government is committed to the development of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. To that end, we have made several significant investments into government programs that benefit rural areas during the past 18 months."

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

2005 05 25                                 3:50 p.m.