Road improvements announced for Humber East area

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced road projects for the Humber East area valued at $380,000 under the 2006-07 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

"Government is committed to providing a dependable and reliable transportation system throughout the province," said Minister Taylor. "Maintaining the highway surface as well as the bridge and overpass infrastructure is critical to sustain development in our province."

Work planned for Humber East includes:

In addition, $1.1 million has been allocated under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund to make repairs to the bin wall near Shellbird Island and to complete the diamond interchange at Little Rapids in the 2006 construction season. This is a collaborative project of the provincial and federal governments.

Minister Tom Marshall, MHA Humber East, said: "The Humber East district has experienced substantial growth over the past several years as the Humber Valley region becomes recognized as an international tourism destination. I welcome the announcement of these road improvements and new infrastructure which will make traveling easier and safer for the many residents, business travelers and tourists who use it."

Government has pre-committed $60 million in the 2006-07 budget for the Provincial Roads Improvement Program, which includes $48.4 million in new money and $11.6 million carried over from the 2005-06 construction season.

The Provincial Roads Improvement Program has doubled in value from $30 million in 2004-05 to $60 million in 2006-07.

This is the earliest the department has received budget approval in decades, which allows the tendering and construction processes to begin much sooner.

Media contact: David Salter, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 691-3577

2006 02 24                                  10:45 a.m.