Transportation and Works
March 26, 2013

Backgrounder - Budget 2013 Investments to Balance Infrastructure Priorities

With an infrastructure investment this year of over $866 million, Budget 2013 is making responsible decisions to encourage economic growth, job creation and stronger communities. Investments are being made by many Provincial Government departments and agencies as referenced in other budget announcements.

Transportation and Works

• $59 million for provincial road construction projects;
• $43.1 million to complete the last full season of paving on Phase I, and commence widening and paving sections of Phase II and III of the Trans Labrador Highway;
• $26.5 million to support several major Trans Canada Highway rehabilitation projects including work near Stephenville and Gander;
• $20.6 million for the first year of construction of the Placentia Lift Bridge;
• $10.4 million to finish the Conception Bay South Bypass, continue construction of the Team Gushue Highway and complete land acquisitions;
• $12.3 million to begin construction of the replacement of the Sir Robert Bond Bridge;
• $11.1 million for heavy equipment, highway depot and salt storage shed construction;
• The department is receiving a further $77.6 million this year to support many of these road and bridge projects, including replacing Little Barachois Bridge, E.S. Spencer Bridge and Robinson’s River Bridge, through infrastructure agreements in place with the Government of Canada;
• $76 million for ferry vessel replacement, refit work and improvements to marine terminals and wharfs;
• A request for proposals will see a contract awarded for development of a 15-year comprehensive passenger, vehicle and freight ferry service beginning April 2016 for both the Strait of Belle Isle and the north coast of Labrador;
• $26.7 million is provided for ongoing and planned improvements at public buildings, including the Confederation Building and the Sir Richard Squires Building projects; and,
• $2.5 million for building accessibility improvements and enhancements.

Health and Community Services

• $226 million for health care capital infrastructure, with $165.8 million for continuing construction and redevelopment, $40.2 million for new equipment, and $20 million for repairs and renovations.

Education

• Almost $102 million for new and ongoing school infrastructure projects, including $77 million allocated for ongoing major capital improvements;
• $25 million to plan for: a new school in Gander; an extension to Elizabeth Park Elementary in Paradise; long-term infrastructure needs at Coley’s Point Primary; modular classrooms in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Torbay and Paradise; and, other priority repair and maintenance projects; and,
• $500,000 has also been approved for detailed planning for the redevelopment of G.C. Rowe in Corner Brook.

Municipal Affairs

• $130 million for the second year of a municipal Capital Works Program to support water and wastewater treatment, regionalization projects, municipal buildings, recreational facilities, and fire fighting equipment; and,
• $25 million Capital Works Program for 2013 for seven municipalities with populations greater than 11,000 that will no longer receive municipal operating grants.

Advanced Education and Skills

• $4.9 million for the continuation of science laboratory upgrades at Memorial University;
• $3.4 million for ongoing renovations to existing student residences at Memorial’s St. John’s campus; and,
• Ongoing planning and preparation with Memorial University for the development of a new science facility at the St. John’s campus. This was reaffirmed by the Provincial Government’s allocation of a portion of a $150 million settlement concerning fabrication work for the Hebron Project.

Tourism and Culture

• $4.4 million, cost shared with the Government of Canada with additional support from the City of St. John’s, to expand and enhance the St. John’s Convention Centre; and,
• Continuation of the $9.5 million investment in restoring the Colonial Building, with additional support from the Government of Canada.

Fisheries and Aquaculture

• Approximately $8.6 million to further develop a sustainable aquaculture industry on the south coast, including $4 million for the construction of a new wharf in Milltown and approximately $2 million to complete wharves in Harbour Breton and Pool’s Cove.

Innovation, Business and Rural Development

• $1.2 million will be allocated to the SmartBay initiative, a collaborative project aiming to promote and develop technology for the benefit of all marine stakeholders in Placentia Bay.

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Media contacts:

Ed Moriarity Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 699-5668 edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca	Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca	Hugh Donnan Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 725-6511 hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca	Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca	Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

2013 03 26                               2:55 p.m.