The Williams Government has made another substantial investment in transportation infrastructure under Budget 2007�s $66.5 million Provincial Roads Improvement Program. The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced $2.5 million to improve roads in the district of Placentia & St. Mary�s.

"This is another example of government�s ongoing commitment to developing rural Newfoundland and Labrador and to providing motorists with an improved transportation network," said Minister Hickey.

Road improvement projects planned for the Placentia & St. Mary�s area are:

• Providing bridge erosion protection, Newbridge, carried over from previous construction season;
• Repairing Cuslette Bridge, carried over from previous construction season;
• Resurfacing half a kilometre in Dunville, carried over from previous construction season;
• Repairing rails and substructure, Argentia Dump Road Overpass;
• Repairing Colinet River Bridge, Route 91;
• Resurfacing a section of Route 100 from the Sir Ambrose Shea Lift Bridge towards Point Verde;
• Resurfacing a section of Route 91 from Route 100 towards Southeast Placentia;
• Resurfacing a section of Route 100 at St. Brides;
• Resurfacing sections of Route 93 at Mount Carmel;
• Resurfacing sections of Route 94 in O�Donnell�s.

"I am very pleased with this year's funding announcement for road repairs in my district," said Felix Collins, MHA for the District of Placentia & St. Mary�s. "This is a significant part of the ongoing improvements to roads in my district and will go a long way to enhancing driving conditions."

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

2007 05 22                                                   9:55 a.m.