Construction to continue on Clinch Crescent

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that road and bridge work will be continuing at the west entrance to Clinch Crescent. This project is funded under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program, with the City of St. John�s contributing to the overall cost of the work.

Minister Rideout said, �It is anticipated that traffic in the area will increase as students return to Memorial University of Newfoundland and vacationers return from their summer holidays. For this reason, my department is taking steps to address the increased traffic.�

The Department of Transportation and Works will have the contractor put in a by-pass at the intersection to accommodate the increased volume of left turning traffic between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, left turning traffic into the Health Sciences Centre will be required to use the Clinch Crescent east access. During the peak evening traffic, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., the temporary by-pass will accommodate west bound traffic only exiting the hospital. The temporary by-pass is expected to be in place by Tuesday morning, September 6.

Minister Rideout said, �Despite the measures that my department is taking, drivers can still expect slowdowns. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of road construction at times. Therefore, travelers are advised to seek alternate routes if possible.

�This is very important work in that the replacement of culverts with a concrete bridge will substantially reduce the potential for flooding problems and ensure safe and reliable access to the Health Sciences Centre and Janeway Children�s Hospital,� said the minister.

�Our government continues to be focused on restoring and improving the province�s transportation infrastructure. That is why we have undertaken the largest roads program in years with $48.7 million invested in the program this year, including $3.7 million in carryovers from the previous year,� said Minister Rideout.

Officials from the department have met with the City of St. John�s and advised them of these activities. As well, the contractor will be running public announcements to make the public aware of the construction activities.

It is anticipated that the road work in the area will be completed by early October.

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

2005 09 01                              2:00 p.m.