Transportation and Works
June 23, 2010

Paving crews are about to hit the road in Western Newfoundland as the Williams Government's infrastructure strategy kicks into high gear. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that a tender has been called for roadwork in the western region.

"As we continue to advance our Provincial Infrastructure Strategy, we are making significant improvements to our province's highway network," said Minister Hedderson. "We will continue to invest strategically to improve road infrastructure and to bolster employment, particularly in rural areas of our province."

The tender calls for the upgrading and paving of approximately 23 kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway between Fischells River and Crabbes River in the St. George's-Stephenville East region. This project is being cost-shared 50/50 between the Provincial and Federal Governments under the major infrastructure component of the federal Building Canada Fund.

"The Trans Canada Highway serves as a vital road link for many residents of the Bay St. George region," said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East. "Not only will these road upgrades significantly enhance safety for our motorists, they will also provide better access to and from rural communities in the area."

In the Port au Port region, work to be completed as part of this tender includes pulverizing and paving of sections of Route 462 in Fox Island River and sections of road through Boswarlos.

"Each year our government continues to invest in vital infrastructure that people and businesses use every day," said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port Au Port. "The provincial road network is certainly an important component of our overall infrastructure and over the past several years we have seen major highway improvements, not just in this region, but across the province."

Also included in this tender call is the paving of sections of Route 470 between Port aux Basques and Harbour Le Cou in the Burgeo—La Poile region.

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future provides $177.7 million in Provincial Government funding for road and bridge expenditures throughout the province. This funding will be supplemented by an additional $57.9 million in Federal Government funding for a total road and bridge investment of $235.6 million in 2010-11. The Provincial Government's overall infrastructure strategy includes investments in municipalities, healthcare, education, justice, social housing, transportation, and environment and conservation.

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