Residents in the Humber Valley community of Nicholsville are getting a new bridge.

The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced an investment of approximately $5 million to commence construction of the bridge. The project will be cost-shared with the Department of Municipal Affairs.

"I am happy to say that Budget 2007 has enabled us to replace the Nicholsville Bridge," said Minister Hickey. "Last fall, we determined the bridge was obsolete and we are now in a position to allocate funds to construct a new one to meet the needs of local residents. We promised the people in the Nicholsville area that we would build them this bridge and we have delivered."

In addition to the new bridge, government will invest $425,000 under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program for work in Humber Valley, including:

This is the second consecutive year that pre-budget approval was granted for the Provincial Roads Improvement Program, allowing tenders to be called and construction to begin, much earlier than in previous years. This year�s $66.5 million Provincial Roads Improvement Program budget is the largest in the province�s history.

In addition, under the Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund, another $3.25 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of the Sir Eric Hinton Bridge, Deer Lake, and the rehabilitation of the Trans Canada Highway, Howley towards Deer Lake. This work is cost-shared 50-50 with the federal government.

Government estimates the Provincial Roads Improvement Program creates 1,200 person years of employment, with 94 per cent of the work being done in rural areas. This is the second year of government�s six-year strategy for infrastructure improvements exceeding $2 billion.

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2007 05 11                                            10:05 a.m.