Investing in Infrastructure: Better roads for
Carbonear-Harbour Grace, Bellevue, and Bay of Islands areas

As part of government�s ongoing commitment to address the provincial infrastructure deficit and stimulate rural economies, Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced an investment of $840,000 for road improvements in Carbonear-Harbour Grace, Bellevue, and Bay of Islands areas, under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Government will invest $300 million in infrastructure this year, of which $171 million is earmarked for transportation infrastructure. This is the first installment of a six-year strategy for infrastructure improvements, exceeding $2 billion that will create more than 4,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

"Our government has undertaken one of the largest roads programs in decades, in order to address as many of the province�s roads as possible," said Minister Taylor. "We recognize that improving our transportation infrastructure provides much-needed employment, a stronger economy, and a safe, high-quality driving experience."

In the Carbonear-Harbour Grace area a culvert will be replaced and a drainage channel will be stabilized on Route 70, Galway�s Brook; Carbonear Bypass through Carbonear will be resurfaced; culverts on Route 70, Perry�s Cove Brook and the culvert near Wagoner�s Nursery, Route 70, Riverhead, will be replaced.

In the Bellevue area, the culvert on Route 212 near Little Bay East and two culverts on Route 203-10 in Fairhaven will be replaced and a stretch of Refinery Road will be resurfaced.

And in the Bay of Islands area, a culvert will be replaced at Christopher�s Cove, Route 440.

In addition to this road work, construction will also continue to correct sections of the TCH with rutting problems from Argentia Access Road to Chance Cove intersection. Valued at $4,000,000, this work comes under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) and is a collaboration of both provincial and federal governments.

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, Transportation and Works, (709) 729-3015, 691-3577

2006 05 10                          10:05 a.m.