Contract Awarded for New Lift Bridge in Placentia

The Provincial Government is meeting its commitment to the people of Placentia and surrounding area to construct a new lift bridge. Today (Tuesday, March 5) the Department of Transportation and Works awarded a $40.6 million contract to HJ O’Connell Construction Limited for the Placentia lift bridge replacement project.

“Government is committed to ensuring every dollar counts when making strategic priority investments with taxpayers’ dollars,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Transportation and Works. “The new Placentia lift bridge is a lasting and very necessary infrastructure investment which will benefit the people of Placentia and surrounding communities for many years to come.”

The contract award calls for the construction of a new vertical lift bridge and road approaches from Placentia and Jerseyside. The contract also includes the removal of the existing Sir Ambrose Shea Lift Bridge.

“This announcement is indeed welcome news for the people of Placentia area,” said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s. “This is a major development and will ensure the long term social and economic viability of the Placentia region. This is a great day for Placentia and the people of the area, and I am deeply grateful for the ongoing diligence of the Department of Transportation and Works and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its significant commitment to the region.”

The Government of Canada is contributing $8 million to this project. Work is expected to begin in the spring and will take three years to complete. The work was re-tendered to ensure a competitive process, and received three bids. The successful bid is $2.5 million lower than that received from a sole bidder in 2012.

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2013 03 05                              11:10 a.m.