The public is advised that all structures, including trestles and bridges, along the T�Railway Provincial Park, from St. John�s to Port aux Basques are closed effective immediately to all pedestrian, ATV, snowmobile, and vehicular traffic until further notice.

Transport Canada, under the authority of the Navigable Waters Protection Act, carried out inspections of 109 structures located along the T�Railway Provincial Park and has prepared a report on their findings.

Transport Canada indicates that 18 structures pose an unreasonable life safety risk to the public. The report also indicates that many other structures should be examined for life safety issues.

Given these findings, government has determined that all structures along the T�Railway be closed until a detailed structural engineering analysis of all structures is carried out. The purpose of this analysis is to determine what specific actions will have to be undertaken to address the issues raised by Transport Canada.

Government will immediately commence erecting closure signs and barricades on T�Railway structures. In the interest of public safety, government is stressing that the public refrain from using all structures until further notice.

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Media contact:
Tina Coffey
Public Relations Specialist
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-5783, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca 

2008 02 14                                                     5:00 p.m.