Minister announces awarding of contract for road work in St. Barbe District

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, and Wally Young, MHA for St. Barbe, today announced that Island Aggregates and Ready Mix has been awarded a contract to complete road work in St. Barbe District. These projects are funded under the 2005-06 Provincial Roads Improvement Program.

Island Aggregates and Ready Mix, Deer Lake, has been awarded a contract valued at $1,194,667 to pulverize and pave Route 430 from River of Ponds toward Hawkes Bay. Under this contract, approximately 8 km will be upgraded.

�Our government has undertaken one of the largest roads program in years during 2005,� said Minister Rideout. �With $48.7 million invested into the province�s transportation infrastructure, our department is pleased that we have been able to act expediently to call tenders and award contracts to maximize the number of projects that will be completed before the end of this year.

�I am extremely pleased that work can now begin in St. Barbe District.�

�I am pleased that the St. Barbe District will soon see the results from the funds allocated to the area under the Provincial Roads Improvement Program,� Mr. Young stated. �Route 430 is a well-traveled road, by both residents of the area and tourists visiting the Northern Peninsula. The $1 million worth of road work will certainly improve the condition of this section of highway.�

Minister Rideout said, �A number of projects are currently ongoing throughout the province, and a significant number have already been completed. Residents throughout Newfoundland and Labrador can now begin to see the results of our roads program, and our commitment to revitalizing the transportation infrastructure in our province, particularly throughout rural areas such as in communities throughout St. Barbe District.

�Our government will continue to invest in strategic initiatives such as the provincial roads program in order to maximize the benefits associated with quality infrastructure for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.�

It is anticipated that work in St. Barbe District will be completed by the end of this year.

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

2005 09 02                          12:50 p.m.