Environment and Climate Change
January 30, 2017

Ensuring Public Safety

Minister Trimper Meets with Stakeholders to Discuss Independent Engineering Report on T’Railway Provincial Park

The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was joined today by MHAs and representatives of districts that contain damaged sections of the T’Railway Provincial Park for a meeting in Grand Falls-Windsor with snowmobile groups and key stakeholders. A report completed by Meridian Engineering was recently submitted to the Department of Environment and Climate Change on the damage. During the meeting, stakeholders and government officials spoke about which areas of the T’Railway are of greatest priority for snowmobilers, explored potential actions that could be taken to address the damages in light of the report, and discussed the extent of the repairs that will be necessary.

“The closure of portions of the T’Railway is an important issue for the impacted regions and the snowmobile community. We recognize the need for timely, yet sustainable, repairs and that is why I wanted to meet with the people that are impacted the most. This meeting was an excellent opportunity to discuss some interim solutions that can achieve some of our shared objectives in getting the T’Railway repaired.”
- The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

The Meridian Engineering Assessment report provides an initial damage assessment of 85 washouts identified. Key points include:

  • A recommendation to defer repair work until the spring/summer when snow and ice will not inhibit construction activities or pose a danger to contracted workers;
  • There may be additional washouts that have not been identified, as well as increased damage to existing identified washouts that may have occurred after the initial inspection in late October; and
  • Contractors would have to be advised of potential safety hazards if winter repairs were being considered, as not all washouts may have been identified.

Meridian Engineering’s full assessment of damages to the T’Railway Provincial Park is available at: www.ecc.gov.nl.ca/parks/parks/trailway/

Portions of the T’Railway, which include a 180-kilometre section west of Badger to Gander, and an area near Port Blandford, have been closed since October 2016 due to extensive washouts and damage caused by a Thanksgiving storm.

“The Thanksgiving rainfall event caused significant damages to the T’Railway, and public safety remains our primary concern. We are asking snowmobilers and other users to be mindful of the closure as extensive washouts remain and continue to pose safety concerns, particularly in winter weather when snow can cover portions of the T’Railway.”
- Minister Trimper

The Department of Environment and Climate Change has installed signage in key areas indicating the closure.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was joined today by MHAs and official representatives of districts that contain damaged sections of the T’Railway Provincial Park for a meeting in Grand Falls-Windsor with snowmobile groups and key stakeholders.
  • The focus of the meeting was an assessment recently received by the Department of Environment and Climate Change from Meridian Engineering concerning damaged portions of the T’Railway.
  • During the meeting, stakeholders and government officials spoke about which areas of the T’Railway are of greatest priority for snowmobilers and explored potential actions that could be considered to address the damages in light of the report and the extent of the repairs that will be necessary.
  • Snowmobilers and other users are asked to be mindful of the closure as extensive washouts remain and continue to pose safety concerns, particularly in winter weather when snow can cover portions of the T’Railway.
  • Meridian Engineering assessment is available online at:
    www.ecc.gov.nl.ca/parks/parks/trailway/

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Media contact:

Chrysta Collins
Media Relations Manager
Department of Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5783, 690-4436
chrystacollins@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

List of Attendees at Meeting on Damages to T’Railway Provincial Park

The following is a list of representatives of the Provincial Government and the stakeholder groups in attendance at the meeting:

  • The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans
  • The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Service and MHA for Gander
  • Derek Bennett, MHA for Lewisporte – Twillingate
  • Colin Holloway, MHA for Terra Nova
  • Jerry Dean, MHA for Exploits
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation
  • Newfoundland T'Railway Council
  • Exploits TrailsNet
  • Gander and Area Snowmobile Association
  • Notre Dame Snowmobile Association

2017 01 30                              2:45 p.m.