Minister clarifies inaccurate statements on 2004-05 Provincial Roads Improvement Program

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today responded to the claims made by Opposition Leader Roger Grimes regarding the Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Minister Rideout said, "The assertions put forward by the Leader of the Opposition are inaccurate and misleading, and it is my responsibility as minister to clarify those inaccuracies.

"The Leader of the Opposition claims that one contract had been awarded for road work on the Avalon Peninsula. I wish to inform my honourable colleague that nothing could be further from the truth. In actual fact, there have been seven contracts awarded for road work on the Avalon Peninsula valued at approximately $3.5 million. There are tenders for two contracts for this region that have closed but have yet to be awarded," said Minister Rideout. "Furthermore, we have awarded in excess of 28 contracts valued at $19.4 million province-wide."

The minister said that the province has a very active provincial roads program this year. Government put an additional $7 million into the roads program for 2004-05 over and above what the previous administration put into the program for 2003-04. This year�s program is valued at $30 million, which the minister says demonstrates government�s commitment to providing a safe and reliable transportation network within our province.

Minister Rideout said, "I am deeply disappointed that the Leader of the Opposition chose to release inaccurate information. All members have an obligation to work in the best interest of the people of this province, and misleading people is clearly not in anyone�s best interest. I would encourage Mr. Grimes in the future to call my office and we would be more than pleased to provide him with the facts on any given issue.

"This government is attempting to reverse the effects of long-term under funding with a new focus on preventative maintenance. Preventative maintenance on existing infrastructure is far less costly than outright replacement or extensive repairs in the future. This new approach to roads development and maintenance serves the best interest of the public of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, Communications, (709) 729-3015

2004 08 24                                        2:55 p.m.