Over $2 Million En Route to Roads in Humber East

Roads in Humber East will receive $2.125 million worth of improvements this summer as part of the province�s $60 million Provincial Roads Improvement Program. The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works, made the announcement today.

�Not only are we improving roads throughout the province with this program, we are creating 1,200 person years of employment and 94 per cent of the work is being done in rural areas,� said Minister Hickey.

It marks the second year in a row that government has made a pre-budget contribution of $60 million to improve provincial roads. The early funding allows the work to commence earlier than in previous years.

In Humber East, government will invest $1.75 million to repair rutting on the Trans Canada Highway between Pasadena and Corner Brook and $375,000 to make repairs to the Humber Road Overpass on the Lewin Parkway, Corner Brook.

In addition, $500,000 will be spent to repair the retaining wall near Shellbird Island and $200,000 to continue construction of the interchange at Little Rapids. These projects are cost-shared with the federal government under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (C-SIF).

The Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East, is pleased with these significant infrastructure improvements. "A number of residents of the district have expressed concerns to me regarding the rutting problems on the Trans Canada Highway between Pasadena and Corner Brook,� said Minister Marshall. �Last season, we were able to complete repairs to approximately 10 kilometres on this section of highway. This additional funding will ensure we are able to complete the necessary upgrades on this heavily-traveled, four-lane divided highway and provide a more pleasant driving experience for the traveling public.�

"The Lewin Parkway is the main artery into the City of Corner Brook and the repairs to the Humber Road Overpass is certainly welcome news to residents and visitors alike. The bottom line is accessing communities in Humber East will be made easier by this announcement which is great news," concluded Minister Marshall.

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David Salter
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 691-3577
davidsalter@gov.nl.ca

2007 03 26                                 9:25 a.m.