The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Transportation and Works:

Early Road Tenders Help Maximize Full Construction Season

Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise today in this Honourable House to highlight our commitment to advancing improvements in transportation infrastructure such as roads, highways and bridges throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Since 2004, more than $1.6 billion has been invested in transportation-related infrastructure delivering significant benefits in all areas of the province. With close to 10,000 kilometres of provincial roads and highways, we need to take full advantage of our province’s short construction season.

In collaboration with the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and private contractors, we are delivering on a commitment to get an early start to road work this year with the issue of early tenders and our investment of $81 million included in Budget 2014 for our Provincial Road Improvement Program.

This marks one of the largest investments ever in the Provincial Road Improvement Program. Funding will be used for upgrades and enhancements to the provincial highway network including major trunk roads, community access roads, as well as routine maintenance on the Trans Canada Highway. Funding is also allocated for the rehabilitation and replacement of bridges.

In the last couple weeks, we have already issued tenders for significant road improvements in Baie Verte-Springdale, Labrador West, western Newfoundland, and on the Bay d’Espoir Highway, with more on the horizon.

Our industry partners and residents have warmly welcomed the early start to the road construction season. Industry, in particular, has applauded the early tenders as an important step in ensuring they can recruit and retain their labour force and better plan and mobilize their operations for road work in all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador. Collectively, as a province, we will all benefit from being out of the gate sooner.

Mr. Speaker, it is going to be a busy year as we prepare to upgrade many roads, highways and bridges all over our province. The work we are doing will support communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and will help drive social and economic activity in both rural and urban areas.

Thank you.

2014 03 31                                          1:45 p.m.