August 25, 2011
Hurricane Igor – Damaged Bridges to Receive Permanent Repairs
Two bridges damaged in Hurricane Igor will be replaced as the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador calls tenders for work in the Bonavista South and Trinity – Bay de Verde regions.
“Hurricane Igor struck at the end of last year’s construction season leaving only time to effect temporary repairs,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Since that time, we have been carrying out the monumental task of assessing damages and completing design work to make permanent repairs to unprecedented levels of damage to our road infrastructure. Because of the work involved, it has taken time to reach this point, but I am pleased we are now able to call tenders for these permanent repairs.”
A tender has been called for the construction of a two-lane, single-span bridge at Plate Cove West on Route 235. Traffic flow will be maintained while construction is underway.
“We are making tremendous progress as we repair our infrastructure,” said the Honourable Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South. “This bridge is an important piece of our highway infrastructure and its permanent repair will benefit the residents and visitors who drive this road everyday.”
A second tender has been called for the construction of a steel, single-lane panel bridge on Church Road in the community of Brownsdale.
“This community has used an alternate route since this bridge was closed after Hurricane Igor,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child Youth and Family Services and MHA for Trinity - Bay de Verde. “Local residents have been patient, and I am pleased that this repair will be made, re-establishing this valued community link.”
Also included in this tender is the repair of a culvert structure in New Melbourne, Route 80.
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.
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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 |
Veronica Hayden Executive Assistant to the Honourable Roger Fitzgerald MHA Bonavista South 709-729-1121 vhayden@gov.nl.ca |
| Josephine Hogan Executive Assistant to the Honourable Charlene Johnson MHA Trinity - Bay de Verde 709-729-0160 JosephineHogan@gov.nl.ca |
2011 08 25 3:05 p.m.