The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that work is underway to replace aging window systems and to refurbish brickwork in the East Block of Confederation Building.

"Based on the results of analysis of the condition of the East Block by a number of building experts, we have begun the process of replacing windows and refurbishing masonry," said Minister Hedderson. "The windows, in particular, are quite old and have reached the end of their useful life. In recent years there have been problems with the windows leaking and associated water damage. This building renovation project will serve to ensure employee and public safety and to protect a significant piece of provincial infrastructure from further deterioration."

In 2008, the Department of Transportation and Works engaged outside architectural and engineering consultants to evaluate the condition of the building�s exterior. The department was advised that some of the windows and exterior masonry had deteriorated to the point where they had become a potential safety risk. The consultants recommended replacement of the windows and repair of the masonry. The department immediately began extensive daily inspections of the windows and brickwork in the East Block and began planning for the replacement of all windows in the building, along with any necessary repairs to the masonry. Transportation and Works engineers continue to conduct regular inspections of the building�s exterior.

A tender was issued on August 1 of this year for select window replacement in the East Block and a contract valued at $1.15 million was awarded to Eastern Contracting Limited on September 4. As part of this contract, the brickwork on a portion of the exterior of the building will be cleaned and necessary masonry repairs will be completed.

"The replacement of deteriorated windows and repairs to masonry will help to modernize and improve the building and, at the same time, make it more energy efficient and provide increased comfort for occupants," added Minister Hedderson. "This is a major provincial building and the time has come to undertake necessary maintenance and repairs."

The glass of the new windows will be tinted to help reduce the amount of heat that radiates into the building as a result of sunlight, as well as to reduce the amount and cost of energy required to cool the building during the warmer months. Conversely, the new windows will be constructed to modern standards, complete with new framing, helping to reduce heat loss during cooler months and lowering heating costs. The new window systems will also ensure a weather-tight exterior, preventing drafts and water penetration. This is in line with other recently implemented energy saving measures such as a cooling tower, roof enhancements and lighting controls in the East Block.

This initial phase of work which began this fall will see the replacement of five vertical columns of windows and spandrel panels on the north face of the East Block�s west wing, along with cleaning of the masonry and any necessary repairs. A tender for the replacement of the balance of the nearly 1900 windows and spandrel panels in the building and remaining masonry work is expected to be called next spring with construction work to conclude in late 2012. The total cost of the project is expected to exceed $20 million.

Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation identified $130 million for repairs and maintenance to Provincial Government buildings, with approximately $80 million of that amount for schools and health care facilities alone.

The Provincial Government�s overall infrastructure strategy is valued at approximately $4 billion over the next several years.

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Media contact:

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca