February 22, 2000
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Canada and Newfoundland governments announce highway initiatives for 2000/2001

George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs, minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and MP Gander-Grand Falls, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, together with Rick Woodford, provincial Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, today announced that 24 highway improvement projects will be carried out in fiscal year 2000/2001 under existing Canada-Newfoundland highway initiatives. This year's initiative will create some 550 direct and indirect jobs.

"These projects are another step to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador continues to have an efficient transportation system," said Mr. Baker. "They will also generate significant benefits for the local construction industry."

"This funding is a tremendous boost to our efforts to provide the province with a quality highway system," said Mr. Woodford. "We are extremely pleased that the federal government continues their commitment to helping us improve our transportation infrastructure."

The federal government will provide approximately $34 million under the Trans-Canada Highway Agreement and $20 million under the Regional Trunk Roads Agreement for these projects. The funds will be used to begin new projects or complete existing ones.

These projects are part of the existing Newfoundland Transportation Initiative Agreement signed by the federal and provincial governments in 1988. The agreement expires in 2003.

Federal funding for these projects was provided for in the federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.

Tenders for these projects will begin immediately.

Contacts:

Transport Canada is online at //www.tc.gc.ca/.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000/2001

Trans-Canada Highway Agreement
New Projects:

1. Upgrading and paving of Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) from two east of Bear Cove Brook towards South Branch (approximately 20 km).

2. Construction of bypass at St. Judes.

3. Placement of surface course asphalt through Grand Falls-Windsor, and upgrading and paving from Beothuk Park to Red Cliff.

4. Upgrading and paving of TCH from Badger towards South Brook (approximately 25 km).

5. Paving of TCH and interchange at Notre Dame Junction (approximately 2.5 km), and construction of overpass.

6. Construction of overpass on the Outer Ring Road at Torbay Road and Carrick Drive.

7. Beginning construction of Bifucation Road, from the Outer Ring Road to Kenmount Road.

8. Miscellaneous bridge repairs.

9. Construction of overpass at Whitbourne.

10. Paving of the Outer Ring Road from Portugal Cove Road to Torbay Road.

11. Placement of surface course asphalt from Little Rapids to Pynn's Brook.

Regional Trunk Roads Agreement
New Projects:

1. Resurfacing of Route 10 Southern Shore Highway (approximately 15 km).

2. Reconstruction and paving of Bonavista Highway Route 230 (approximately 15 km).

3. Paving of Route 340 through Summerford (approximately eight km).

4. Paving of Route 432 from Main Brook towards Roddickton Intersection (approximately 29 km).

5. Grading of Conception Bay North Bypass from Tilton to Carbonear (two contracts).

6. Paving of Conception Bay South Bypass from Foxtrap Access to Legion Road.

7. Construction of overpasses at Foxtrap Access and Legion Road, and Conception Bay South Bypass Road.

8. Paving of Goulds Bypass, including bridge structures at Cochrane Pond Brook and Cochrane Pond Road.

9. Upgrading and repaving Route 330 from Carmanville to Main Point.

10. Upgrading and resurfacing of Route 210 between Marystown and Grand Bank.

11. Paving surface course asphalt at Corner Brook waterfront.

12. Replacement of deck on St. Paul's River Bridge.

13. Resurfacing sections of Northern Peninsula Highway Route 430.

2000 02 22                                             1:50 p.m.