Transportation and Works
August 17, 2015
Ensuring Safe Highways for Motorists
Province Enhances Provincial Brush-cutting Program
The Provincial Government will expand brush-cutting efforts this fall through an additional investment of $1 million, bringing the total allocation to $3 million for this year.
“Brush-cutting has proven to be an effective tool to improve sight-lines and increase visibility for motorists. It is one of the key actions our government is taking to help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions. With an additional $1 million this year, we will increase the areas for brush-cutting along our highways, which complements other initiatives to help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions, such as increased public awareness, signage, fencing and data collection.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works
In June of this year, the Department of Transportation and Works entered into a contract with the Save Our People Action Committee to develop public education materials and advertising, to fund the moose alert hotline and to erect new highway signage at key points on the Trans Canada Highway.
The reduction of moose vehicle collisions on highways was also a key consideration of the Five-Year Moose Management Plan, announced in April and supported by a $1.8 million investment over the next five years.
A coordinated, planned approach to brush-cutting was introduced in 2006 with dedicated funding allocated in each provincial budget since.
Areas selected for brush-cutting are determined based on traffic volumes, visibility, and areas of high moose vehicle collisions and heavy growth. The Collision Data Management System will be used to identify additional areas or areas for more frequent cutting.
“One of the more beneficial ways to avoid moose vehicle collisions on our highways and byways is to cut brush back from the shoulders of the road. By doing this, we give motorists reaction time when moose are in these cleared areas. The additional $1 million announced by Minister Brazil will result in a considerable amount of brush being cleared thereby reducing the number of moose vehicle collisions and helping to save lives.”
- Brent Cole, Chairperson of SOPAC (Save Our People Action Committee)
Tenders for brush-cutting will be issued mid-September, with the work to begin later in the fall in accordance with federal regulations regarding water fowl and songbirds.
QUICK FACTS:
- The Provincial Government is increasing funding for brush-cutting along the province’s highways by $1 million, bringing the total allocation this year to $3 million.
- The additional brush-cutting will complement other actions of government, in partnership with SOPAC, to help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions. These include increased public awareness, new highway signage and funding of the moose alert hotline.
- Areas selected for brush-cutting are determined based on traffic volumes, visibility, and areas of high moose vehicle collisions and heavy growth.
- Brush-cutting has proven to be an effective tool to improve sight-lines, increase visibility and help reduce the incidence of moose vehicle collisions.
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Media contacts:
|
Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca |
Brent Cole SOPAC Chairperson 709-759-3998, 699-6794 bmcole1@eastlink.ca |
2015 08 17 11:30 a.m.