The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Works, announced that tenders will be called this week for upgrading and paving of Route 101 in the District of Placentia-St. Mary�s.

"Route 101 is an important road link between Placentia and Long Harbour, site of the Vale Inco hydromet facility," said Minister Taylor. "This road will better position individuals and businesses in the Placentia area to take advantage of the opportunities which will be generated by the hydromet facility."

"The resurfacing of Route 101 completes the transportation network surrounding the Vale Inco site," said Felix Collins, MHA for Placentia-St. Mary�s.　 "It is a crucial road for the Placentia/Argentia area, and to have the work commence this year, along with the major work already in progress on Routes 100 and 202, reflects the huge commitment of this government to the Placentia-Long Harbour region. This is indeed great news."

Route 101 is approximately 12 kilometres long and runs from the Argentia Access Road to the Long Harbour Access Road. Upgrading and paving of this route will shorten the commuting distance and therefore save individuals and businesses time and money.

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 $4 billion over the next several years.

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