Transportation
and Works
June 23, 2010
Roadwork Heads West
Paving crews are about to hit the road in Western Newfoundland as the
Williams Government's infrastructure strategy kicks into high gear. The
Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, today
announced that a tender has been called for roadwork in the western
region.
"As we continue to advance our Provincial Infrastructure Strategy, we
are making significant improvements to our province's highway network,"
said Minister Hedderson. "We will continue to invest strategically to
improve road infrastructure and to bolster employment, particularly in
rural areas of our province."
The tender calls for the upgrading and paving of approximately 23
kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Fischells River and
Crabbes River in the St. George's-Stephenville East region. This project
is being cost-shared 50/50 between the Provincial and Federal
Governments under the major infrastructure component of the federal
Building Canada Fund.
"The Trans Canada Highway serves as a vital road link for many
residents of the Bay St. George region," said the Honourable Joan Burke,
MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East. "Not only will these road
upgrades significantly enhance safety for our motorists, they will also
provide better access to and from rural communities in the area."
In the Port au Port region, work to be completed as part of this
tender includes pulverizing and paving of sections of Route 462 in Fox
Island River and sections of road through Boswarlos.
"Each year our government continues to invest in vital infrastructure
that people and businesses use every day," said Tony Cornect, MHA for
Port Au Port. "The provincial road network is certainly an important
component of our overall infrastructure and over the past several years
we have seen major highway improvements, not just in this region, but
across the province."
Also included in this tender call is the paving of sections of Route
470 between Port aux Basques and Harbour Le Cou in the Burgeo—La Poile
region.
Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our
Future provides $177.7 million in Provincial Government funding for
road and bridge expenditures throughout the province. This funding will
be supplemented by an additional $57.9 million in Federal Government
funding for a total road and bridge investment of $235.6 million in
2010-11. The Provincial Government's overall infrastructure strategy
includes investments in municipalities, healthcare, education, justice,
social housing, transportation, and environment and conservation.
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