Construction crews will be kept busy this season, as the Williams Government continues to roll out its large-scale 2008-09 Provincial Roads Improvement Program. Today, the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Transportation and Works, announced the investment of $500,000 for road repairs in the Topsail area.

"This government has shown time and again its commitment to upgrading the province�s transportation network," said Minister Whalen. "Proof of that commitment can be found in our government�s impressive Budget 2008, which provided $73 million to improve roads across the province."

The road work planned for the Topsail area consists of rut repairs to a section of the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as various road maintenance repairs throughout the region.

"For the past four years, the Topsail area has seen major improvements on Route 60 as a result of funding totaling in excess of $2 million," said Elizabeth Marshall, MHA for Topsail. "This year I am pleased to see the same level of funding has been continued to improve infrastructure and I look forward to further improvements on Route 60 and sections of the Manuels Arterial Road."

The Provincial Roads Improvement Program will create an estimated 1,400 person years of employment and is part of the Provincial Government�s infrastructure strategy, valued at more than $3 billion. A total of $375 million will be invested in provincial transportation infrastructure improvements, associated expenditures, public buildings and water bombers this year, including $91.8 million in cost-shared agreements.

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