Transportation and Works
November 15, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Minister Crocker Celebrates Opening of New Sir Robert Bond Bridge

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to inform Honourable members of the completion of a significant piece of infrastructure that has strengthened the transportation network throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

In October, the new Sir Robert Bond Bridge opened to traffic over the Exploits River in central Newfoundland.

The new bridge is a welcome addition to the region and makes travelling through the area much easier.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my thanks to local residents and businesses for their patience as they waited for this bridge to be completed.

However, our work to upgrade road infrastructure in this region is far from over.

For the remainder of the season, the contractor will be working to demolish and remove the old bridge. In addition, a contract for permanent approaches on each side of the bridge has been approved. This project and work to upgrade and repave the interchange with the Botwood Highway and the east entrance to Bishop’s Falls is set to begin next year.

Mr. Speaker, it is important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that our government provide significant highway improvements such as the Sir Robert Bond Bridge. This year, our department paved more than 600 lane kilometres of highway and replaced more than 300 culverts.

And as we’re currently inviting residents to identify provincial highways and bridges that should be considered for the second year of our Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan, we’ll continue to provide infrastructure that is important to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for years to come.

Thank you.

2017 11 15                              2:15 p.m.