Construction Begins on Team Gushue Highway Extension

Construction has begun on the first phase of the highway corridor for the extension to Team Gushue Highway. This phase will see the preparation of the highway bed from the newly-constructed overpass over Kenmount Road to Brookfield Road.

“The preparation of the highway bed moves us fully into the construction phase of this much anticipated and much needed piece of regional infrastructure,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Once complete, the Team Gushue Highway extension will provide a vital artery for traffic flow on the Northeast Avalon.”

A contract valued at approximately $13 million has been awarded to Pennecon Heavy Civil to construct this phase of the highway bed. The project is expected to be completed in May 2013.

As part of the project, intermittent blasting will take place in the area. Homeowners in the vicinity will be contacted prior to blasting. As the project progresses, traffic slow downs may occur on Blackmarsh Road and Topsail Road, but no road closures are expected and traffic flow will be maintained. A detour will be in effect on a section of Old Pennywell Road during construction.

The extension to Team Gushue Highway is expected to be completed in 2014. Once completed, the City of St. John’s will assume ownership of the highway.

The highway is designed to relieve traffic congestion on all major routes in the region, and when completed, will provide a link connecting the Outer Ring Road in the north of the region with Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive in the south.

The Department of Transportation and Works held two open house public information sessions in November 2010, to provide an opportunity for people to view details of the project and to ask questions of department officials.

“With the advancement of this project, we come closer to an enhanced regional transportation system for the area with the highest traffic volume in the province,” said Minister Hedderson. “The Team Gushue Highway extension will benefit commuters, businesses, and everyone who travels in or around the capital city.”

The construction costs of the Team Gushue Highway extension project are being shared equally between the Federal and Provincial Governments under the federal Building Canada Fund. The Provincial Government assumes all costs associated with project design, contract administration and land acquisition.

This project is in keeping with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s unprecedented commitment to improving and upgrading roads and bridges through its multi-year infrastructure strategy valued in excess of $5 billion.

The Team Gushue Highway Extension route can be viewed at: www.gov.nl.ca/tw/publications/team_gushue_highway_extension_route.pdf.

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Media contact:
Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 699-0470
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca

2012 01 24             11:30 a.m.