Transportation and Works
October 22, 2010
Deer Lake Regional Airport Officially Opens
Newly-Extended Runway
A newly-completed runway extension at
the Deer Lake Regional Airport will enhance and improve safety and
operating conditions, thanks to a partnership between the governments of
Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.
On hand to officially open the runway
extension were the Honourable Senator Elizabeth Marshall, the Honourable
Tom Marshall, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board for
Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Tom Hedderson,
Minister of Transportation and Works, and Todd Lee, Deer Lake Airport
Authority Chairman.
Of the top 30 airports in Canada, Deer Lake
Regional Airport was one of only four with a runway length of less than
6,000 feet. The runway extension from 6,000 to 8,000 feet will improve
maximum takeoff weight on longer routes, improve safety in winter and
summer months, improve operating conditions for aircraft, and develop
new markets, routes and service opportunities.
"Safe and competitive airports are essential
to ensuring Canada's place in the global landscape," said Senator
Marshall.
"Our
government is pleased to have worked with the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador and the Deer Lake Regional Airport to complete this
important project. The construction of public infrastructure, such as
the runway extension project, provides a safer environment for
passengers and helps our businesses prosper now and into the future."
"The runway extension at Deer Lake Regional
Airport is a significant addition to the infrastructure at this
important facility, and is another step forward in the airport's
development," said Minister Hedderson. "I am very pleased that our
government has partnered with the Federal Government to contribute to
this project, as part of our aggressive infrastructure investment
initiative. This upgrade enhances capacity and safety at the airport,
while supporting the airport authority's efforts to develop new business
opportunities."
"I commend both levels of government and the
airport authority for completing this important project," said Darryl
Kelly, MHA for Humber Valley. "This investment will help to enhance the
transportation system in the region and strengthen the local economy.
This is great news for residents and businesses in the area."
"This project was made possible by the
generous financial assistance of the Federal and Provincial
Governments," said Mr. Lee. "This tri-party cost-sharing arrangement
provided the necessary funds to complete the expansion project at a time
when our infrastructure was struggling to keep pace with the growing
demand."
On May 11, 2009, the governments of Canada and
Newfoundland and Labrador each committed $3 million to support this
expansion project. Federal funding was provided under the Infrastructure
Stimulus Fund. The balance of funding for the $9-million project was
provided by the Deer Lake Airport Authority.
As part of the Government of Canada's Economic
Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing
funding for close to 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country.
Overall, the Government of Canada has invested $59 million toward 28
projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are
working together to create jobs and boost the economy, while making
significant investments that help communities improve their
infrastructure. Both governments have agreed to work together to ensure
that these funds are delivered quickly and efficiently to municipalities
in Newfoundland and Labrador.
For more information, please visit
www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
To learn more about Canada's Economic Action
Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Media contacts:
John Babcock
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
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Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca
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Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154 |
Jamie Schwartz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Deer Lake Regional Airport (YDF)
709-635-3601 ext. 222
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2010 10 22 9:20 a.m.
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