Transportation depot to be constructed along Trans Labrador Highway

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that Airways Contracting has been awarded a contract for the construction of a transportation depot at Chateau Pond, along the Trans Labrador Highway, between the communities of Red Bay and Lodge Bay.

Government is following through on its commitment to have this depot built, as announced in Labrador last March. Airways Contracting, Gander, has been awarded a contract valued at $1,608,873 for its construction.

�Government is very aware of the problems associated with maintaining this section of road,� said Minister Rideout. �Since the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay opened in the fall of 2000, severe weather conditions have made it impossible to keep this portion of the highway open and safe.�

The minister added that the depot will house personnel and specialized snow-clearing equipment for winter maintenance along this section of road.

�The new depot will enable the department to keep the appropriate snow-clearing equipment in the area,� continued Minister Rideout. �This will allow snow-clearing crews working at the depot to work from the centre of the road outward. This will result in a more effective snow-clearing effort.�

During three of the past four winters, the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay has been closed for a significant part of the winter. In 2004, the road was closed for 68 days and, in 2003, the road was closed for 72 days. Minister Rideout says that government is taking a long-term, comprehensive approach to keeping the road open.

�It is obviously inconvenient for travelers when this road must be closed due to weather,� said the minister. �This is a pragmatic solution that will enable government to keep the road from Red Bay to Lodge Bay open for as long as possible throughout the year. Other options currently being pursued by government include widening rock cuts and raising road grades.�

The minister added that government is committed to making strategic investments in infrastructure throughout Labrador.

�Government is proud of our commitments in Labrador,� said Minister Rideout. �A $40 million allotment for completion of Phase III in Budget 2005, including carryovers from last year, is indicative of this commitment, as is the 15 kilometre chip seal road surface that was laid in 2004.

�We will continue to work with Labradorians to generate new opportunities that will benefit its people, communities and economy.�

Work on the depot will commence in the near future, and site preparation procedures are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

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

2005 10 07                                     10:30 a.m.