The Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced funding for six projects to make communities safer and provide residents with better roads in rural areas of the province.
“Investments such as these are so important to rural communities. They provide much appreciated improvements for safer roads and better infrastructure to help with protection against floods and spring runoff,” said Derrick Bragg, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The projects include the following:
- Residents of the Municipality of Rushoon will benefit from the replacement of the ice wall to protect dwellings along the river;
- Municipalities of Glovertown, Lumsden, and Grand Bank will benefit from road and street upgrades and paving;
- Residents and drivers in New-Wes-Valley will benefit from the replacement of the Newtown Bridge; and;
- Residents of Gambo will benefit from stormwater upgrades to Pine Tree Road.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.1 million in these projects through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream (RNIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing over $1.2 million and the municipalities combined are contributing more than $1 million. The federal Gas Tax Fund provides more than $304,000.
“These infrastructure investments are important to strengthening rural communities. These projects will help create well-paying, stable jobs during the construction phase, and they will have positive and long-lasting effects well into the future,” said Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista−Burin−Trinity. “We are contributing to our country’s economic recovery in these unprecedented times, so that our communities remain among the best places to live, work and raise a family.”
There are also plans to undertake the rehabilitation of rural roads. Residents of the Municipality of Pacquet will benefit from a total of 350 metres of newly paved road along Lake Road and Newtown Road, as well as rehabilitation work in the surrounding areas. This project will lower road maintenance costs and improve road safety for residents.
A gravel roadway in the Town of Lushes Bight Beaumont-Beaumont North will be paved with asphalt and culverts in poor condition will be replaced. As a result of these investments, residents from the region will benefit from more reliable road infrastructure, and a safer means of transportation.
The federal government is investing more than $179,900 in these projects through the RNIS of the Investing in Canada infrastructure program and the federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF).The provincial government is providing over $103,000 while the Town of Lushes Bight-Beaumont-Beaumont North is contributing more than $34,600 and the Town of Pacquet is contributing more than $24,000.
“Rural communities are an integral part of our country and they have been highly impacted by Covid-19 in many different ways,” said Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays–Central–Notre Dame. “This is why investments in local infrastructure like the upgrades and rehabilitation of roads in northeastern Newfoundland and Labrador is especially important to help communities bounce back and become more resilient now and in the future.”
