Reducing the impact of natural disasters such as flooding and wildfires is critical to keeping Canadian families safe, protecting local businesses and supporting a strong economy and the middle class.

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities today announced funding to mitigate the risk of bridge washouts and flooding on provincial highways and roads.

This funding is allocated for projects to replace the:

• Deer Lake Tailrace Bridge and Rushy Pond Bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway;
• Ballam Bridge and Hughes Brook Bridge on Route 440 (North Shore Highway), and
• Romaine’s River Bridge on Route 460 (Hansen Memorial Highway).

The new, larger bridges will be capable of withstanding increased water flows during major weather events and also protect residents and businesses from future flood damage related to climate change. They are also expected to provide long-term savings in recovery and replacement costs.

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are each investing over $15 million in these projects through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

This work is in addition to other highway infrastructure improvement projects included in the Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan, such as culverts replaced on Routes 450 (South Shore Highway) and 460 in 2018 and ongoing work to rehabilitate the Blow Me Down Bridge, as well as culverts on Route 450 and Route 460 this year.

For a list of ongoing highway improvement projects, visit www.roads.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“Our government is committed to improving transportation infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador. By working with our federal counterparts, we are ensuring these bridges that connect communities and residents are secure and will not be impacted by the effects of climate change.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Heavy rains and spring run-off can damage highway infrastructure and cut off communities. By replacing aging infrastructure with new infrastructure, we are being proactive to ensure these links and communities are protected.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Transportation and Works

“The Trans-Canada Highway is an important link between Newfoundland and the rest of Canada, connecting communities, businesses and visitors to our beautiful province. This project will protect hundreds of thousands of residents from flood damage caused by bridge washouts during extreme weather conditions. With projects like this, we are taking concrete steps to reduce the impact of climate change, keeping our communities safe, and reducing future economic loss.”
Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains

“Extreme weather is becoming more severe, more frequent, more damaging and more expensive because of climate change. By investing in the infrastructure that protects our neighbourhoods, businesses, and families, we are building communities that can withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come.”
Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety

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Learn more
The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Way Forward: A Multi-Year Plan for Infrastructure Investments 

Minister Crocker Provides Update on Five-Year Provincial Roads Plan

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL , @TW_GovNL  and @INFC_eng 

Media contacts
Geoff Higdon
Office of the Premier
729-3558
geoffhigdon@gov.nl.ca   

Brian Scott
Transportation and Works
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-3015
brianscott@gov.nl.ca

Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-697-3778
ann-clara.vaillancourt@canada.ca