St. Barbe District to benefit from provincial roads program

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Wally Young, MHA for St. Barbe, today announced road improvements for the district under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Minister Rideout said, "The Provincial Roads Improvement Program provides funding for upgrades and improvements to the provincial highway network throughout the province. This is part of government�s commitment to providing a safe transportation network for road users. Budget 2005 allocated significant monies for our roads infrastructure, with the Provincial Roads Improvement Program valued at $38.7 million, including $3.7 million in carryovers.

"I am pleased to announce that $1.0 million in funding has been allocated for resurfacing a section of Route 430, from River of Ponds towards Hawke�s Bay, in the St. Barbe District," said the minister.

"As the MHA for St. Barbe, I am very pleased that this road work has been announced today," said Mr. Young. "Residents and tourists alike will enjoy the benefits of this much needed resurfacing work on Route 430. One million dollars is a great investment in road infrastructure and it will certainly serve to increase public safety and enhance the tourism potential in my district."

"During the past 18 months, our government has been making strategic investments into key areas of our economy with the goal of revitalizing rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said the minister. "Road work creates employment opportunities and an improved transportation network promotes safety and makes for a more pleasant driving experience for residents and visitors."

Media contact: Danny Pond, Communications, (709) 729-1758, 685-3415

2005 07 06                                                   3:50 p.m.