The Highway Design and Construction Division and the Labrador Regional Operations Division of the Department of Transportation and Works have won a prestigious award from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.

The 2007 Steel Design Award of Excellence was awarded last weekend in Montreal in recognition of the department�s achievement in minimizing environmental impacts during design and construction of the bridge over the Churchill River, Labrador.

The Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Transportation and Works, offered congratulations on behalf of the Provincial Government.

"Our employees involved in this project have done government proud," said Minister Whalen. "It is always rewarding to have your hard work recognized by your peers and I extend our government�s appreciation of their efforts. It is particularly gratifying to see our environmentally-friendly efforts acknowledged, as environmental protection is a priority for the Williams Government."

Located approximately eight kilometres upstream from the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the crossing of the Churchill River bridge is one of the highlights of Phase III of the Trans-Labrador Highway. The crossing consists of a 500-metre causeway and a three-span, 360-metre bridge.

Construction of the crossing commenced during the fall of 2004 and was completed in the fall of 2006.

To date, the Williams Government has invested approximately $76 million in construction of the Trans Labrador Highway.

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2007 11 07                 9:20 a.m.