I rise in this Honourable House today to share some exciting news regarding the Provincial Government�s on-going economic stimulus plan.

This fiscal year alone, the Provincial Government will invest approximately $800 million in infrastructure and in excess of $4 billion over the next several years, which builds upon our pledge to stimulate the economy and combat the global economic crisis. In fact we were well ahead of the country in battling the looming economic crisis with sound infrastructure planning and investment already put in place by our government. Over the past five years we have invested $1.5 billion in our provincial infrastructure. Now we see our foresight and planning coming to fruition, creating jobs and boosting the economy in our province.

We are not wasting any time rolling out this program. We have already issued or awarded tenders for $130 million of this year�s infrastructure stimulus package, with the vast majority of the work being carried out in rural areas of the province We are putting shovels in hands and getting Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to work right now. It is anticipated our investment plan will create or sustain approximately 5,400 person years of employment this year.

This morning we achieved another milestone in our infrastructure strategy by signing a $366 million pact with the Federal Government to expedite significant construction and rehabilitation projects throughout the province. The province is contributing $175 million to these ventures.

Some of the highlights of today�s announcements include $84.4 million for a variety of cost-shared, National Highway System projects and $55 million � $32.5 from the Provincial Government � to extend the Team Gushue Highway from Kenmount Road to the Goulds By-Pass Road.

Another major project is the replacement of the Kenmount Road Overpass. We should see work on the $9 million project start this summer. The replacement structure will be large enough to permit four-laning of Topsail Road to handle continual traffic growth in that area. Nine-million dollars will also be invested to lengthen the runway at Deer Lake Airport by 1,000 feet to increase service capacity and improve landing capability in adverse weather conditions. I�m particularly pleased to announce that $5.5 million will be invested to expand port facilities in St. Anthony. This expansion will relieve congestion and accommodate the increasing level of naval, Coast Guard and containership traffic. Today�s funding will also provide $6 million worth of upgrades to the Argentia Access Road.

In Labrador, there is funding to continue widening and hard-surfacing of Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway and $6 million to re-route approximately five kilometres at Pinware River.

Funding was also provided in today�s announcement for a variety of municipal projects throughout the province.

The Williams Government took a strategic approach in creating our long-term infrastructure plan. We addressed the needs of the various sectors � projects that we needed to move forward on � and created jobs for our skilled workers and did so because the timing is right. And as we anticipated, we seem to be getting good value for our dollars.

2009 05 11                                                 1:50 p.m.