Minister announces awarding of contract for road work in Cape St. Francis District

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Jack Byrne, MHA for Cape St. Francis and Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today announced that Farrell�s Excavating Limited has been awarded a contract to complete road upgrades in the Cape St. Francis District. These projects are funded under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Farrell�s Excavating Limited, Conception Bay South, has been awarded a contract valued at $1,550,877 to complete the following projects throughout the district:

• Upgrade and pave 2.7 km of Wind Gap Road, Flatrock;
• Upgrade and pave 2.1 km of Marine Drive, Torbay;
• Upgrade and pave 1.0 km of Indian Meal Line from the Torbay Intersection;
• Upgrade and pave 0.8 km in Pouch Cove;
• Upgrade and pave 2.6 km of Route 20 between Flatrock and Shoe Cove;
• Approximately 20 km of shoulder repairs at various locations;
• Culvert replacements on Indian Meal Line, Windgap Road and Route 20.

Minister Rideout said, �I am very pleased with the manner in which my department is handling this year�s roads program. We have planned nearly $50 million worth of roads projects throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and significant progress has been made with initiating and completing these upgrades. To that end, I am extremely pleased that a contract has been awarded for road work in Cape St. Francis District, and delighted to see that work has commenced.�

MHA Jack Byrne said, �I am pleased that the road work has been awarded and residents will see improvements of the much needed road work in the area.�

�The current government is strongly committed to revitalizing the transportation infrastructure throughout our province,� said Minister Rideout. �Quality roads provide all users with a safe and enjoyable driving experience, and road work generates numerous employment opportunities. Undertaking a roads program valued at $48.7 million demonstrates our commitment to maximizing these benefits for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.�

Work is anticipated to be completed this fall.

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

2005 09 01                          3:45 p.m.