July 26, 2011
Central Newfoundland to See Enhanced Transportation Infrastructure
A contract valued at $4.2 million has been awarded to Penney Paving Limited for road work throughout Central Newfoundland, as the Provincial Government continues to roll out the 2011-12 roads program.
“Our government continues to show its commitment to investing in our provincial transportation infrastructure,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Our aggressive infrastructure investment is creating jobs and strengthening the economy throughout our province and, with most of this investment occurring in rural areas, it is highlighting our continuing commitment to rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Included in the contract are the pulverizing and paving of approximately 1.3 kilometres of Route 350 from Northern Arm toward Point Leamington and the repair of several sections of Route 350 between Point Leamington and Leading Tickles. Resurfacing will take place on various sections of Route 352 near Cottrell’s Cove and Fortune Harbour totalling approximately 3.5 kilometres. Culverts will also be replaced on Route 352 in Phillip’s Head and Fortune Harbour.
“Our government is continuing to invest in our transportation infrastructure,” said Clayton Forsey, MHA for Exploits. “Both members of our communities and visitors alike travel our roadways everyday and this work will serve to strengthen our highway system for all travellers in the region.”
As part of this contract, approximately two kilometres of Route 3-1-09 at Norris Arm North will be pulverized and paved and approximately two kilometres of the Lewisporte Highway will be resurfaced. Approaches to the Rattling Brook Penstock Bridge near Norris Arm on the Trans Canada Highway will also be repaired.
“I am pleased to see this work will be completed as part of this contract,” said Wade Verge, MHA for Lewisporte. “The roads in our region form part of the backbone of our local economy and, by investing in the transportation network, our government is investing in our communities.”
The contract will also see the upgrading of approximately 900 metres of Wooddale Road and the pulverizing and paving of a section of the Bay d’Espoir Highway, for a distance of approximately 2.45 kilometres.
“The upgrading of Wooddale Road is great news for the local area,” said Ray Hunter, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Green Bay South. “Agricultural enterprises in this area contribute significantly to the central Newfoundland economy and improving this section of Wooddale Road will be of great benefit for those people and businesses that use it on a regular basis.”
In addition to the paving contract, a tender has also been called for the strengthening of the wharf in Francois which will see the installation of some additional steel and wood beams beneath the deck of the wharf.
“The Bay d’Espoir Highway is an important route for everyone in the Coast of Bays region and it is great to see upgrades to this road,” said Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay – Cape La Hune. “The upgrades for the Francois wharf are also welcome and will help to improve the marine transportation infrastructure in this isolated community.”
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides funding of $216.4 million for road and bridge improvements, supplemented by an additional $35.2 million in Federal Government funding, for a total road and bridge investment in 2011-12 of $251.6 million. Budget 2011 also includes $5 million for maintenance and upgrades to wharves at ferry terminals.
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Media contacts:
| Roger Scaplen Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-0898, 697-1424 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
2011 07 26 10:55 a.m.