Torbay Bypass Enters Home Stretch

While work continues on the widening of Torbay Road in preparation for the completion of the Torbay Bypass, a tender has now been called for the paving of the full length of the bypass route.

"This project was first announced in the spring of 2007, and I am pleased to see that this important regional highway will soon be opened to the travelling public," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. "With this tender call, we are entering the home stretch on this project. I look forward to the completion of the Torbay Bypass and to the great impact it will have on traffic flow in this area of the Northeast Avalon."

The tender calls for paving of the Torbay Bypass Road from RCAF Road to the intersection with the Pouch Cove Highway near Picco's Brook, a distance of 8.1 kilometres. Also included in this tender is the installation of traffic lights on Torbay Road near the entrance to the Jack Byrne Arena.

"This is a great day for everyone in this region," said Kevin Parsons, MHA for Cape St. Francis. "This new road will ease traffic congestion on Torbay Road, particularly during the morning and evening commutes. I am pleased that this project is nearing completion and that it will soon open to the public."

The total cost of the Torbay Bypass is estimated at $20 million. Of this amount, $10 million is being cost-shared 50/50 by the Provincial and Federal Governments under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The remaining $10 million is being funded solely by the Provincial Government bringing the total provincial contribution to $15 million.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future allocates a record $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years. As part of this investment, $177.7 million in Provincial Government funding is allocated 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.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2010 08 13                                                    9:30 a.m.