Smoother roads are on the way for residents in Labrador West, with today�s funding announcement of $2 million by the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Transportation and Works.

The investment is part of the Provincial Government�s $73 million roads improvement program. This is the third year in a row that program has been launched early in the year, enabling construction to commence as soon as weather permits.

"Early approval of the roads program allows the construction season to begin much sooner and results in more work being completed," said Minister Whalen. "The Provincial Government is committed to improving safety on the province�s roadways and completing the work in a timely manner."

As part of this year�s Provincial Roads Improvement Program, a section between the Quebec border to Junction Route 503 will be upgraded and resurfaced. Additionally, in work carried over from last year, sections of Route 500 will be upgraded and resurfaced.

"Between today�s announcement and funding on the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH), it�s going to be a very busy summer in our region," said Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West.

"The Provincial Government will be investing $22.5 million in the TLH and of course, that is on top of the $2 million going into roads in my district. Our government�s steadfast efforts to bring the Federal Government on board to cost-share hard-surfacing of the TLH will mean significant work will proceed on that highway this construction season."

The Provincial Roads Improvement Program will create an estimated 1,400 person years of employment and is part of the Provincial Government�s infrastructure strategy, valued at more than $2 billion.

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Media contact:
David Salter
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 691-3577
davidsalter@gov.nl.ca