Transportation and Works
November 27, 2012

New Bridge Planned for Little Barachois Brook

The transportation network in the western region of the province will soon receive a significant upgrade through a tender call for a new bridge at Little Barachois Brook near Stephenville Crossing.

“Our investment in this bridge replacement follows other significant bridge projects on the west coast, including the replacement of the Searston Gut Bridge and the improvements to the Main Gut Bridge,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works. “This is another example of the Provincial Government’s commitment to ensuring our bridges throughout the province continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve.”

The existing bridge was completed in 1961 and was built to the standards of that era. The new bridge will be a single span, 30 metre bridge that will be significantly wider than the existing bridge and will have a greater load capacity. The new bridge will be built in the same location as the existing bridge, so a two-lane temporary bypass will be constructed to accommodate traffic while construction is ongoing.

“Bridges are key structures that connect our communities, and given this bridge is part of the Trans Canada Highway, it is especially vital to the area,” said the Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for St. George’s - Stephenville East. “I am pleased we are establishing a new and modern bridge to respond to the needs of residents, and I look forward to seeing the tender awarded.”

This project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013.

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity includes an investment of $165.1 million to enhance provincial road and bridge infrastructure, supplemented by $60 million in Federal Government funding, for a total investment in 2012-13 of $225.1 million.

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2012 11 27                           11:15 a.m.