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Transportation and Works
November 19, 2011

Opening of New Torbay Bypass Improves Regional Transportation Network

Motorists in Newfoundland and Labrador are now benefiting from the new Torbay bypass. Today, the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, along with the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, announced the opening of the bypass that provides communities north of St. John’s with a more direct route to the regional transportation network.

“The Torbay bypass is an excellent example of how the governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are taking action to invest in infrastructure,” said Minister Penashue. “This new bypass will help ease traffic congestion in the Town of Torbay and will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and users of recreational vehicles.”

“The opening of this new bypass will greatly benefit people throughout the entire Northeast Avalon region particularly residents and businesses of Torbay, Flatrock, Pouch Cove and Bauline,” said Minister Hedderson. “We have been investing heavily in infrastructure as part of our ongoing infrastructure strategy and this new bypass is a great example of our commitment to providing new and improved infrastructure throughout the province.”

Previously, Route 20 was the primary access through the Town of Torbay, and between the City of St. John’s and the Northeast Avalon region. The Torbay bypass project was a combination of upgrading and bypassing the existing two-lane Route 20 to provide an alternative highway around the Town of Torbay.

The project includes 9.5 kilometres of highway, a bridge, four underpasses to accommodate vehicle traffic and four underpasses to accommodate snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles. Also included are three sets of traffic lights at the intersections of Torbay Road, Indian Meal Line and Bauline Line. The new bypass will improve safety and will help support the continued growth of tourism, business investment and economic development in the region. Residents of Torbay and the surrounding communities will benefit from the resulting economic development.

The total cost of this project, which began in January 2008, is $22.7 million. The federal contribution to the project is $5 million under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador providing the remaining $17.7 million.

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Media contacts:  

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700

Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055

2011 11 19             3:50 p.m.

 
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