Investing in Infrastructure: Roads improvements in Lake Melville area

As part of government�s commitment to developing infrastructure and rural economies, Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced an investment of $875,000 to improve roads in the Lake Melville area.

Funding for the projects is made available under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program and is part of the $300 million earmarked for infrastructure investment this year, of which $171 million will be invested in transportation infrastructure. The total amount is also the first installment of a six-year expenditure of more than $2 billion for infrastructure modernization that will generate more than 4,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

"Government is fulfilling its Blueprint commitment to invest significantly in infrastructure," said Minister Taylor. "This investment will stimulate job creation in rural parts of our province, one of government�s top priorities."

Road improvements planned for the Lake Melville area, which include some carryover work from last year, consist of: brush clearing in the Pope�s Hill area; herbicide treatment on Route 520, Northwest River Road and crushed road gravel application on the Trans-Labrador Highway from Lower Brook to Pope�s Hill.

Lake Melville MHA, John Hickey said: "The work scheduled for my district this year will benefit all road users in the area. The sections of road slated for improvements are vitally important to the people of this region and the announced work will serve to increase safety for all travelers who use them."

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

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

2006 04 19                                      10.40 a.m.