Minister announces awarding of contract for bridge work in The Straits and White Bay North district

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced the awarding of a contract for bridge work in The Straits and White Bay North district under the 2004-05 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

"This government is working diligently on a plan to achieve economic and fiscal health for the province. We continue to address the issues that are important to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, including employment, rural development and transportation issues," said Minister Rideout. "The safety and reliability of our road and bridge infrastructure is of paramount importance to this government and our provincial roads program addresses these concerns.

"To this end, I am pleased to announce that Trident Construction Limited of St. John�s has been awarded a contract valued at over $633,000 for the removal and replacement of the Upper Brook Bridge in The Straits and White Bay North district," said the minister.

Trevor Taylor, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for The Straits and White Bay North district said: "This piece of infrastructure is of vital importance to the area, its residents and especially to the tourism and fishing industries. I am extremely pleased that we were able to secure the money to replace Upper Brook Bridge this year."

Minister Rideout said: "We are strengthening our position to generate growth and create employment opportunities in our province. The problems with our provincial highway infrastructure have been many years in the making and, while they cannot be fixed overnight, they can and will be fixed."

Statistics Canada estimates that for every million dollars spent on road work, 12 direct and eight indirect jobs are created.

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, Communications, (709) 729-3015 or (709) 690-8403

2004 10 06                       3:15 p.m.