Contract awarded for rehabilitation of Trans Canada Highway
between Manuel�s Interchange and Thomas�s Pond

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that a contract has been awarded for rehabilitation of a section of the Trans Canada Highway. Funding for this work is made available under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (C-SIF), a fifty-fifty cost-shared program between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Infrastructure Canada.

Municipal Construction Limited, Paradise, has been awarded a contract valued $3,134,602 for rehabilitation of the Trans Canada Highway between Manuel�s Interchange and Thomas�s Pond.

Minister Rideout said: �The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund is a joint contribution of up to $48 million for the rehabilitation and restoration of highway infrastructure and bridges along Route 1 of the Trans Canada Highway. This includes the completion of sixteen major rehabilitative projects. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will contribute an additional $5.6 million for project design and contract administration.

�This marks a huge investment into addressing the major infrastructure issues that currently face the Trans Canada Highway throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. I am delighted that both levels of government have been able to reach this agreement, and I am extremely pleased that we are now in the position to put this funding to work.�

Jean-C. Lapierre, federal Minister of Transport, R. John Efford, regional minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, and Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, announced this commitment on August 11.

�This investment demonstrates that both levels of government recognize the importance of maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure," said Elizabeth Marshall, MHA for Topsail District. �This initiative is valued at over $3.1 million and will greatly improve public safety along this section of highway. I am truly excited that this contract has now been awarded.�

Minister Rideout said: �The residents of this province have expressed their concerns, and the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have heard them. As these projects are completed, travelers on the Trans Canada Highway throughout the province will notice a tremendous increase in the quality of their driving experience.�

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

2005 10 14                            10:35 a.m.