Transportation
and Works
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
August 16, 2010
Tenders Called to Complete TLH, Phase I Widening
The Williams Government has called two tenders that will see widening
of Phase I of the Trans Labrador Highway (TLH) completed by the end of
next construction season. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of
Transportation and Works, made the announcement today.
"The Williams Government's commitment to the Trans Labrador Highway
has been unwavering," said Minister Hedderson. "From the opening of
Phase III this past December to the ongoing widening and hard surfacing
of Phase I, this highway is changing the very face of Labrador and
providing a critical transportation link that is helping Labrador
realize it's full potential. These latest tenders for the completion of
widening, in preparation for future additional hard-surfacing, are
keeping the momentum going on this major transportation initiative."
The first tender calls for the widening of approximately 38.5
kilometres of Phase I of the TLH between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and
Churchill Falls - 11 kilometres west of East Metchin River to Rapids
Brook. The second tender calls for the widening of 48 kilometres from
near Raft River to the Churchill Falls Airport Access Road. This work is
being cost-shared with the Federal Government under the Building Canada
Fund.
"We have seen increased traffic on Phase III since it opened and
completing the widening and hard-surfacing of Phase l, will give
businesses, tourists, and citizens added incentive to travel this
beautiful region of the province," said the Honourable John Hickey,
Minister of Labrador Affairs. "This commitment is yet another
accomplishment under the Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador
that is improving the social and economic outlook for Labradorians, and
indeed the province."
To date, approximately 370 kilometres of Phase I of the TLH — more
than 75 per cent - has been widened. Contracts are in place that will
see an additional 46 kilometres widened before the end of this
construction season. With these latest tenders now called, all remaining
widening work on Phase I of the TLH is expected to be completed over
this construction season and the next.
"This is great news, not only for the people of Labrador West, but
for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Jim Baker, MHA for
Labrador West. "Our government's commitment to widening and
hard-surfacing of Phase I will benefit many generations to come through
increased opportunities for tourism and other business and enhanced
safety and comfort for anyone travelling the highway."
By the end of this construction season, it is expected that more than
180 kilometres of Phase I will have been hard-surfaced. Hard-surfacing
of Phase I is expected to be completed by 2014.
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our
Future
allocates a record $1 billion for provincial infrastructure
investments, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5
billion over the next several years. As part of this investment, $177.7
million in Provincial Government funding is allocated 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.
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