Minister announces contract for road work in Port au Port District

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Jim Hodder, MHA for Port au Port District, today announced that Humber Valley Paving 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 Improvement Program.

This road work is part of a $2,642,181 contract awarded to Humber Valley Paving Limited of Deer Lake to complete projects throughout areas on the west coast. The value of this particular road work is $1,705,288.

Under the contract, the following projects will be completed in Port au Port District:

• Paving various sections along Route 460;
• Paving approximately 5.0 km along Main Road through Kippens;
• Paving approximately 4.2 km from Campbells Creek toward Abrahams Cove;
• Paving approximately 1.8 km along Lower Cove Hill;
• Paving approximately 3.0 km from Lourdes toward Mainland;
• Paving approximately 3.0 km along Black Duck Brook Road.

�As part of government�s ongoing commitment to rehabilitating our provincial roads infrastructure, $48.7 million has been allocated for this year�s Provincial Roads Improvement Program, including $3.7 million in carryovers from last year,� said Minister Rideout. �This is the largest roads program in years, and represents a $18.7 million increase over the 2004-05 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

�This program provides funding for upgrading and improving the provincial highway network throughout the province, and I am pleased to say that a large portion of this year�s program has already been completed, and roads in areas throughout the entire province have received upgrades.

�During the remainder of this construction season, residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to see the results of government�s commitment to the province�s transportation infrastructure. To that end, I am pleased to announce the awarding of this contract for road work in Port au Port District.�

�I am very pleased to see that this contract has been awarded,� said Mr. Hodder. �When this work has been completed, the people of my district will see the benefit of over $1.7 million worth of road work.�

Minister Rideout said: �Road work generates employment opportunities throughout the province, and improved roads attract tourists to our communities, aiding to enhance local economies. By implementing a $48.7 million roads program, our government is pleased that we are maintaining our commitment to make strategic investments into our transportation infrastructure.�

These road projects are funded under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program and are not related to last week�s flooding in the Stephenville area. When an assessment of the damages has been completed, a further announcement will be made outlining the necessary repair work that will be undertaken.

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

2005 10 11                                    9:55 a.m.