Work to install the last remaining guide rails on the Team Gushue Highway from Kenmount Road to Topsail Road is scheduled to be completed this weekend, leading to the extension opening by Monday, December 3.
The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works, made the announcement today in St. John’s. Minister Crocker was joined by the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for St. John’s West; and Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s.
The new section extends the highway 4.2 kilometres from Kenmount Road to Topsail Road. To complete the new route across the City of St. John’s, it was necessary to construct five concrete overpasses, 16 ramps, a roundabout at the Blackmarsh Road interchange, and Brier Avenue – a new road linking Old Penneywell Road to the highway.
Motorists can access the new section of the Team Gushue Highway via Kenmount Road, Captain Whelan Drive, the new Brier Avenue, Blackmarsh Road and Topsail Road.
The Team Gushue Highway from Outer Ring road to Topsail Road will be one of the now 14 routes to have overnight snow clearing.
The cost of the highway from Kenmount to Topsail Road is $58.9 million, cost-shared between the Provincial Government and the Government of Canada.
Budget 2018 allocated $13.7 million to advance the Team Gushue Highway extension as part of The Way Forward: A Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investments, which commits nearly $2.5 billion over five years in new and existing schools, hospitals, highways and municipal infrastructure.
This project delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“This extension was a substantial construction project with numerous overhead structures. It will be a very important piece of infrastructure that will reduce traffic congestion and change traffic flows in the area. We look forward to extending the highway to the Robert E. Howlett Highway in the future.” Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works
“Our government has made the largest infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador’s history and the completion of the Team Gushue Highway extension is great news for our community. This extension means Newfoundlanders will be able to get to and from work faster and, more importantly, they will be able to spend more time with their families.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Veterans Affairs and MP for St. John’s South–Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“This is important news for St. John’s West. This expansion will deliver a significant and positive impact on the lives of those who live within the district, and commuters throughout the Avalon region. Our government is committed to its Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investment as the safety of our roads and highways is of utmost importance and remains a top priority.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for St. John’s West
“The Team Gushue Highway extension will have a major impact on the quality of life for many residents of St. John’s and surrounding municipalities. The new section of highway will offer a faster route between several key destinations, it will also improve traffic flow in numerous areas as drivers change their habits to take advantage of the new highway. Our staff has been working diligently on the new Blackmarsh Road realignment project, which will complement the overall efficiency of the transportation network.”
Danny Breen
Mayor of the City of St. John’s
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Learn more
The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Paving Progressing on Team Gushue Highway Extension
Next Phase of Team Gushue Highway Moves Forward
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Media contacts
Rod Drover
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