Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, Bob Ridgley, MHA for St. John�s North, and Andy Wells, Mayor of the City of St. John�s, today announced that Trident Construction Limited has been awarded the contract to carry out road and bridge work at the west entrance to Clinch Crescent, at the Health Sciences Centre. This project is funded under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program, with the City of St. John�s contributing to the overall cost of the work.

Trident Construction Limited, Mount Pearl, has been awarded a contract valued at $951,900 to remove the existing culverts, construct a concrete bridge and complete incidental road work.

"Our government is focusing strongly on restoring and expanding the transportation infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Rideout. "We have undertaken the largest roads program in years, valued at $48.7 million, in order to provide Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with safe and reliable roads on which to travel. The construction work at Clinch Crescent is part of our government proceeding with this commitment, and will generate employment opportunities and improve water flow in this area."

"I am very pleased that this contract has been awarded and that work has begun on this important project," said Mr. Ridgley. "On a number of occasions over the past few years, heavy rains have caused major flooding at this intersection thereby restricting access to the Health Sciences Centre and the Janeway Children�s Hospital. The replacement of culverts with a concrete bridge will eliminate this flooding problem and ensure safe and reliable access to these two vital health care facilities."

"Recognizing the importance of maintaining reliable access to the Health Sciences Centre and the Janeway Children�s Hospital for the citizens of St. John�s, the City of St. John�s is contributing $187,500 towards the cost of replacing the existing culverts on Leary�s Brook at Clinch Crescent West with a bridge structure," said Mayor Andy Wells.

Minister Rideout said, "This construction work will improve access to the Health Sciences Centre, a major medical institution in our city and province. This is a very significant initiative and represents a smart investment in provincial infrastructure."

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

2005 08 12                                                       11:45 a.m.