NLIS 9
September 13, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
Minister visits construction site
of Trans Labrador Highway
Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and
Works, recently visited the current construction site of the Trans Labrador
Highway, and drove the 12.5 km of newly constructed road from Happy Valley-Goose
Bay toward Cartwright.
�The highway must be seen from the ground in order to fully appreciate the
magnitude of
this project,� said Minister Rideout. �I have viewed the construction site by
helicopter in
the past but that did not compare to being on the ground at the construction
site and
experiencing it first hand.�
The minister also visited the site of the causeway and bridge that is currently
under
construction across the Churchill River.
�I am very pleased with the quality of work that the contractors have completed
for Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway� said the minister. �Seeing first
hand the progress that has been made on this project is very pleasing, and
government will remain committed to this work until the Trans Labrador Highway
is completed.�
Minister Rideout said that the Trans Labrador Highway is a very significant
piece of transportation infrastructure in Labrador.
�This highway is tremendous,� said the minister. �It was amazing to drive a
piece of road that, when completed, will finally provide a means to drive across
Labrador.
�The Trans Labrador Highway is a road built from scratch through miles of
previously untouched wilderness.�
The minister said that government will remain committed to transportation
infrastructure in Labrador.
�Phase III of the Trans Labrador Highway is currently on schedule to be
completed before the end of 2009,� said Minister Rideout. �We will work to
ensure that this remains the case as work on Phase III is continued. In Budget
2005, government allocated $40 million for continued work on the Trans Labrador
Highway, including carryovers from last year.
�Government is committed to the development and revitalization of transportation
infrastructure in Labrador. We are proud of our accomplishments in Labrador,
including the Trans Labrador Highway, the chip seal road surface that we are
currently evaluating and our commitment to construct a depot between Red Bay and
Lodge Bay to more effectively provide snow-clearing that will address the severe
weather conditions experienced in this area.
�Government will continue to work with Labradorians in order to benefit the
people, communities and economy of the region, as well to identify future needs
and opportunities.�
Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403
2005 09 13
2:25 p.m. |