Building off a successful road construction season in which more than 600 lane kilometres of highway were paved and more than 300 culverts replaced, the Department of Transportation and Works today announced the 2018-19 edition of the Five-Year Provincial Roads plan. Again this year, $77.2 million has been allocated for the program.
The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works, will be available to discuss the plan with media today (Wednesday, February 7), at 11:30 a.m. and will be joined by Jim Organ, Executive Director of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The availability will take place in St. John’s at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road in the Conception Bay North Room.
Full details of the plan, including the routes scheduled for repairs for each year, can be found on www.roads.gov.nl.ca.
Projects are ranked on factors such as safety, traffic volume, and input from the department’s engineers, and users of provincial roads and highways. A public consultation held in November received 470 submissions.
Like last year, all tenders for road construction projects will be issued well in advance of the road construction season. By issuing and awarding tenders earlier in the year, contractors are more prepared to start road work when the weather allows and can take full advantage of the province’s short construction season.
The five-year plan and this year’s update are part of The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, which outlines government’s plans in the face of fiscal challenges by achieving better value for money.
Quotes
“Our highways are important to all of us. By developing and continuing our five-year plan, we address the most important issues first, let residents know when we plan to improve their roads, and let contractors know what projects are planned, which leads to more competitive bidding and better value for taxpayers’ money.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works
“We were glad to see the plan introduced last year and happy to see it continue again this year. Showing us what work is coming this year and in future years is good for our industry because it allows our contractors to be better prepared and keeps our labour pool working in this province.”
Jim Organ
Executive Director, Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn More
Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan, 2018-19 Edition – www.roads.gov.nl.ca
Government Announces Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan Developed through Evidence-based Planning – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/0131n01.aspx
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Media contact
Rod Drover
Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 730-4607
rodneycdrover@gov.nl.ca