Infrastructure investments in Conception Bay East and Bell Island areas

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced an investment of $2.79 million for infrastructure improvements in the Conception Bay East and Bell Island areas as part of government�s ongoing commitment to improve transportation infrastructure and support the provincial economy.

"This government recognizes the need for improvements to transportation infrastructure throughout the province," said Minister Taylor. "We have invested a substantial amount of money to address the province�s infrastructure deficit, which is a vital step in our strategy to stimulate job creation and boost the economy."

Highlighting the announcement is a $1.9 million overhaul of the Portugal Cove ferry dock under the ferry terminals budget. Work is expected to get underway within the next couple of weeks. This is the first phase of a major renovation of the ferry dock at Portugal Cove that will total $4 million.

Road improvements, totalling $890,000 planned for the Conception Bay East and Bell Island areas include some work carried over from last year, and are as follows:

"I am very pleased that government has identified these projects to be completed this year," said Minister Dianne Whalen, MHA for Conception Bay East and Bell Island. "I have worked very hard for my district to ensure that road improvements are made in a timely fashion. It�s important to me that the residents of my district, as well as visitors to this beautiful part of our province, are able to drive our provincial network of roads safely."

Funding for the roads projects is made available under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program, a component of the $171 million government will invest in transportation infrastructure this year.

Combined infrastructure investment in Budget 2006 will total $300 million; the first installment of a six-year infrastructure strategy, in excess of $2 billion, that will generate more than 4,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

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 05 09                                                         3:10 p.m.