Contract Awarded for Searston Gut Bridge Replacement

A contract valued at approximately $4.4 million has been awarded to Brook Construction (2007) Inc. to replace the Searston Gut Bridge in the Codroy Valley in Western Newfoundland.

“We made a commitment to the people of this region that we would replace this bridge and with this contract award we will soon see the beginning of construction on a new bridge that will serve area residents for many decades to come,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “This is just one more example of the many infrastructure projects we are undertaking that directly benefit people in regions all across our province.”

The new bridge will be a single-lane steel truss bridge on concrete foundations. It will be constructed at the same location as the previous structure.

“This is great news for residents and businesses in this region that have come to depend on the crossing over Searston Gut for many daily activities,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for St. George’s - Stephenville East. “As we have worked with area residents over the past year, they have shown us just how important this bridge is for the region and I am pleased the contract for the replacement bridge has now been awarded.”

The old bridge was removed through a contract awarded in September. Work on the abutments for the new bridge is expected to begin this fall with remaining work to be completed next construction season.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides more than $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments. This includes $216.4 million in Provincial Government funding for road and bridge improvements throughout the province. This funding will be supplemented by an additional $35.2 million in Federal Government funding, providing for a total road and bridge investment in 2011-12 of $251.6 million.

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2011 11 21             2:05 p.m.