Innovative ways to develop and improve vital road infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador has led to more than 600 lane kilometres of highway being paved and more than 300 culverts being replaced throughout the province in 2017.

Among this year’s highlights to improve highway infrastructure are:

• The province’s first ever nighttime construction pilot project that saw sections of the Trans-Canada Highway from Kenmount Road to Salmonier Line paved at night to reduce traffic delays;
• An asphalt testing pilot project that will help determine the best type of asphalt to use for our province’s climate and highway conditions;
• The province’s first five-year provincial roads plan that prioritized road projects based on safety, traffic volumes and input from motorists and the department’s engineers;
• 180 lane kilometres of the Trans-Labrador Highway paved from Red Bay to north of Lodge Bay;
• Approximately 110 lane kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway paved between Whitbourne and Goobies;
• New pavement for sections of Peacekeepers Way, Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive, and Pitts Memorial Drive; and
• The opening of the new Sir Robert Bond Bridge.

The five-year provincial roads plan committed to issuing tenders for road work earlier in the year to allow contractors to take full advantage of the province’s short construction season.

As a result, tenders for road work began being issued in January and all tenders were issued by the end of March, leading to contractors beginning road work when weather permitted.

As part of the department’s Summer Maintenance Program, department crews also:

• Graded more than 30,000 kilometres of gravel roads throughout the province;
• Applied 520,000 litres of paint for line painting; and
• Used approximately 18,100 cubic metres of gravel to repair shoulders.

Progress was made on the Team Gushue Highway extension from Kenmount Road to Topsail Road, including the installation of storm sewers, electrical work and foundations for light poles, a pedestrian underpass near Topsail Road, and sub-grading and berms near Topsail Road and Blackmarsh Road. Work on the Team Gushue Highway extension has progressed to allow paving to be completed in the new year.

Quote
“When we announced our five-year provincial roads plan in January, we were confident that awarding tenders earlier in the year would help contractors complete more work. With some tenders being issued this fall for road work next year, we will continue to do all we can to ensure contractors finish road work on time and on schedule.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works

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Learn More
Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan – www.tw.gov.nl.ca/TenderingandContracts/PDF/5yearplan.pdf 

Government Announces Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan Developed through Evidence-based Planning – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/0131n01.aspx

Tender Awarded for Night Time Construction Pilot – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/0503n03.aspx

Maintenance Crews Making Annual Road Repairs Throughout Province – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/0512n06.aspx

Minister Hawkins Provides Update on Major Road Work for 2017 Construction Season – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/0728n02.aspx

Asphalt Testing Pilot Project Begins on Avalon Peninsula – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/1027n08.aspx

Ministerial Statement – Minister Crocker Celebrates Opening of New Sir Robert Bond Bridge – gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/tw/1115n06.aspx

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Media contact
Rod Drover
Transportation and Works
709-729-1758, 730-4607
rodneycdrover@gov.nl.ca