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NLIS 4
March 11, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
Minister clarifies new funding and new depot for Trans Labrador Highway
Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today clarified the new funding and new depot for the Trans Labrador Highway. "There seems to be a misunderstanding of both the announcement on new funding for road work and the need for a depot between Red Bay and Lodge Bay," said the minister.
Government announced new work for Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway, including $9 million in new money. This construction season, government plans to call tenders for a permanent bridge in Paradise River and approximately 28 kilometres of road work from Paradise River toward Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This is part of $40 million in funds for the 2005-06 budget year and, as announced, includes carry overs from the previous construction season.
"The state of perplexity that the MHA for Cartwright L�Anse au Clair finds herself in regarding our announcement of plans to build a depot on the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay seems to be the direct result of a misunderstanding of the purpose that the depot will serve.
"Along the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay, at approximately the halfway point, is an area that causes great concern and difficulty for contractors when clearing snow. This has made the road difficult to maintain," said Minister Rideout.
"The challenges with snow clearing on the Trans Labrador Highway between Red Bay and Lodge Bay are just as applicable to our government as it was to the previous administration. However, our government is prepared to offer comprehensive solutions to this problem, rather than be content to carry on with the status quo," continued the minister.
In 2003, the road was closed for a total of 72 days and, last year, this road was closed for 68 days. According to the minister, this is not an acceptable situation and government has decided to take a pro-active approach to engage solutions that will address the problem over the long-term.
"The maintenance of the road is contracted out and any equipment is owned by the contractors," said the minister. "There is no Transportation and Works equipment sitting idle. Up until late last week, the road had been regularly plowed and was opened to the public.
"The MHA has made numerous representations regarding this road, asking that it be kept opened year round. The construction of this $750,000 depot is one of multiple solutions that our government is pursuing to enable us to keep the road open year round," said Minister Rideout.
"Our government also continues to examine other means of improving the road. This includes widening the rock cuts along the road and raising road grades."
The minister stated that government�s recent announcement of $56 million for investment in Labrador is indicative of the commitment to Labrador. It is also illustrative of the significance of Labrador in the future development of this province.
"We will continue to listen to the people of our province and make strategic investments, as we guide the province toward economic and fiscal stability," said the minister.
Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403
2005 03 11 1:45 p.m.
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