Minister announces awarding of contract for road work in Gander District

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Kevin O�Brien, MHA for Gander District and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, today announced that B & M Paving (1983) Limited has been awarded a contract to complete road improvements throughout the district. Funding for these projects is made available under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads I mprovement Program.

This is part of a contract awarded to B & M Paving (1983) Limited, valued at $2,789,463, to complete road improvements throughout the central region.

Under this portion of the contract, valued at $634,263, the following road work will be completed:
Pulverizing and paving approximately 1.2 km of Route 330, south of Jonathans Brook;
Installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Cooper Boulevard and Airport Boulevard.

Minister Rideout said: �As we move into fall, I am very pleased with the extent of work our department has completed throughout the province under this year�s provincial roads program. We will continue to work diligently to ensure that we make the most of the next couple of months to finish planned road work that remains in various areas of the province.

�To that end, I am pleased to announce the awarding of this contract, and look forward to seeing the results of this work when the projects are completed.�

�I am very pleased that the contract has been awarded for road infrastructure work in the District of Gander,� said Mr. O�Brien. �While I look forward to the completion of paving along sections of Route 330, I am most pleased that the traffic lights at the intersection of Cooper and Airport Boulevards in Gander will soon be a reality. This is an extremely busy intersection and this set of traffic lights will make it much safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.�

�Our department has undertaken one of the largest roads programs in years, valued at $48.7 million,� said Minister Rideout. �This remarkable investment has made a significant contribution to transportation infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and further improvements are forthcoming as work is continued throughout the next couple of months.

�These road improvements will mean a smoother driving experience for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Road work generates employment opportunities and improved roads will attract visitors to our communities, thus stimulating local economies.�

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

2005 10 05                              9:25 a.m.