Contracts Awarded to Repair Provincial T'Railway System

The Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services, and the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today announced the awarding of contracts to complete repairs to the T'Railway Provincial Park following the widespread impacts of Hurricane Igor. The engineering assessment of the damages incurred, undertaken by Rutter Engineering, revealed approximately 250 sites in need of repair along the 380 kilometres of trail. The estimated total cost for repairs to the park is $980,000.

"We continue to make significant progress in getting life back to normal for our residents," said Minister O'Brien. "We understand the important role the T’Railway plays in the lives of many outdoor enthusiasts. Today's announcement is another milestone in our continued recovery and will return our much-used T'Railway infrastructure to the condition it was prior to Hurricane Igor."

The timeline for repairs will depend on weather conditions in the impacted areas. However, with the exception of one large breach at Chute Brook near Clarenville, the projects are anticipated to be completed by mid-February. The Chute Brook breach is expected to be completed around the end of February.

"The effects of the hurricane were widespread and there was expansive and significant devastation to the T'Railway," noted Minister Wiseman. "While we recognize the inconvenience for the many users, public safety is our primary focus. Because of the seriousness of the conditions, we continue to ask for the public’s cooperation to stay off the T’Railway Provincial Park. Though we anticipate having the work completed in the coming weeks, in its present condition, it is unsafe for all user groups, including snowmobilers."

A total of seven contracts has been awarded to five companies, to complete repairs to a pre-determined section of the T’Railway. The successful proponents are H&R Enterprises Limited, Southern Construction, GMK Equipment Rentals Limited, Cabot Industries Limited, and Gills Construction Limited.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2011 01 26                                                         12:15 p.m.