Robinsons River Bridge Tender Called

Construction will soon begin on the new Robinsons River Bridge on the Trans Canada Highway on Newfoundland’s west coast.

“This government has been investing heavily in improving transportation infrastructure, and in replacing and refurbishing bridges across the province,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “The current bridge at Robinsons River is reaching the end of its service life. This project will see a new and wider structure span the river and will improve the alignment of the road leading to the bridge.”

The current bridge is 8.9 metres wide; the new bridge will be 11.5 metres wide. Traffic will be maintained throughout the construction process via a temporary bridge and paved diversion which was completed this fall.

“All the elements are now in place for this important project,” said the Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills and MHA for St. George’s - Stephenville East. “Replacing this bridge is a significant investment in the transportation network in this part of our province and I am pleased to see this project moving forward.”

Construction is expected to begin in winter 2012. The project is cost-shared with the Federal Government under the Building Canada Fund.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provides more than $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments. This includes $216.4 million in Provincial Government funding for road and bridge improvements throughout the province. This funding will be supplemented by an additional $35.2 million in Federal Government funding, providing for a total road and bridge investment in 2011-12 of $251.6 million.

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2011 12 14             10:15 a.m.