The Department of Transportation and Works is continuing to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Igor and is working to effect repairs as quickly as possible.

At present the Department of Transportation and Works has approximately 335 employees, in three transportation regions, and 12 contractors engaged in assessing and repairing roads damaged during Hurricane Igor. The department will engage more contractors as it identifies additional required repair work and available contractors.

The Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) remains closed between the Route 230 Interchange and Port Blandford. The department is working to restore this section to one lane of traffic early this evening (Wednesday, September 22). The TCH also remains closed at Cobbler's Brook in Terra Nova National Park. Transportation and Works officials have been advised that Parks Canada has a contractor engaged to effect repairs and that they hope to have this section open to one lane of traffic by early tomorrow morning (Thursday, September 23).

The Barbour Bridge on Route 230 at Charleston is washed out, cutting most of the Bonavista Peninsula off from the TCH. The Rattling Brook Bridge near Boat Harbour on Route 210 is washed out, cutting off most of the Burin Peninsula from the TCH. Crews are assessing the damage at both sites and will be working to restore traffic flow as soon as possible.

There are numerous local roads that are closed due to road and bridge washouts and other damage throughout areas impacted by Hurricane Igor. In total there are currently approximately 50 communities that are isolated due to road closures. It is the department's top priority to restore connections to these communities as quickly as possible. It is anticipated that it will take at least two to three weeks before all connections can be restored.

Members of the public can call Transportation and Works dispatch at the following phone numbers for the most up to date information regarding road conditions in storm affected areas: