Environment and Conservation
Transportation and Works
July 29, 2010
Bridges Reopen in T'Railway Provincial Park
Five key bridges in the western portion of the
T'Railway Provincial Park that closed in 2008 are now re-opened to park
users. The five bridges are: Robinsons East, Robinsons West, Middle
Brook, Morris Brook and Codroy North Branch. Additionally, the Crabbes
River bridge in St. Fintan's is being replaced as a result of a $3.6
million allocation in Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For Our
Children and Our Future
.
"We know the value of the T'Railway for the
many outdoor enthusiasts who utilize it across the island," said the
Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation.
"Our government made an unprecedented infrastructure investment in the
province last year, and this included funding for the T'Railway. We also
made another substantive investment in this year's budget for Crabbe's
River, and that piece of work is now underway. We are very happy to
re-open a number of bridges that will certainly contribute to the
experience of the park users."
In February 2009, the Provincial Government
announced an $800 million infrastructure program for the province,
including $2 million for projects in the T'Railway Provincial Park. The
priority for the funding was to address the safety issues pertaining to
a number of structures identified in a 2008 Transport Canada report. At
that time, Transport Canada completed inspections on the 109 bridges
along the T'Railway that are subject to the Navigable Waters Act
and, as a result of their findings, the Provincial Government closed all
bridges in the T'Railway Provincial Park until engineering assessments
were completed. Bridges that were verified as safe for public use were
reopened, while the ones deemed unsafe were closed and barricaded.
"My department is pleased to have worked
collaboratively with the Department of Environment and Conservation and
the Newfoundland T'Railway Council on the success of these projects and
the reopening of the bridges," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson,
Minister of Transportation and Works. "Our infrastructure investment
continues to positively impact the people of our province, and I am
delighted with these results."
A portion of the funding was also utilized to
conduct drainage and vegetation control maintenance projects along the
T'Railway corridor to enhance access and prevent future washouts.
"T'Railway users in the province understand
the importance of a continuous trail, and the re-opening of these
structures will help restore this important feature," said Terry
Morrison, Executive Director of the Newfoundland T'Railway Council. "As
a result of this co-operative venture, our trail system is ready to be
enjoyed this season."
Additionally, through a cost-sharing
arrangement between the provincial and federal governments and the
T'Railway Council, work has also been completed on the replacement of
Indian Pond bridge in Conception Bay South. This structure has also been
re-opened for public use.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
2010 07 29
10:30 a.m.
|