The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced $225 million will be invested in highway construction in 2023-24 as part of the government’s multi-year provincial roads plan.
The impacts of climate change and highway safety continue to be significant factors in determining the list of highway construction projects selected for the plan.
In addition, projects are based on criteria such as input from the department’s engineers; commercial, industry, and tourism impacts; traffic volumes; populations serviced; and input from motorists. A public consultation on the multi-year roads plan earlier this winter received 362 suggestions.
“An unprecedented $225 million investment in transportation infrastructure and early tenders will result in a productive highway construction season. By working with the engineers in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, we’ve put together a solid, balanced plan for road construction projects throughout the province. In collaboration with the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re excited about the improvements we’re planning for this year,” said Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The plan outlines a list of highway construction projects planned for the 2023-24 highway construction season and a partial list of projects planned for the 2024-25 season, which will be updated in early 2024.
The plan also includes roads with lower traffic volumes with significant deterioration. More details on these projects can be found in the backgrounder below.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has begun issuing tenders for road construction work to begin this construction season. Tenders have been issued for projects including:
- A culvert replacement on the Trans-Canada Highway near Port aux Basques;
- Paving on the Trans-Canada Highway between Birchy Narrows and Main Brook Bridge;
- Bridge inspection and design services for bridges on Pitts Memorial Drive (Route 2) and Mount Carmel Road (Route 93);
- Paving of the Trans-Canada Highway between Springdale and Baie Verte;
- Paving sections of Northwest River Road (Route 520) and the approaches to Munik Pone Memorial Bridge on Route 500 in Labrador; and
- Culvert replacements on the Trans-Canada Highway between Pinchgut Lake and Blue Pond.
The department continues to work with the Federal Government on other cost-shared highway transportation projects.
“Timely, early tenders, a multi-year infrastructure plan along with industry consultation provides the foundation for efficient business planning. It enables contractors to ensure work crews and equipment are ready to begin work at the start of our short construction season and it ensures the efficient utilization of resources and government funding. Early tenders support needed infrastructure being completed on time to the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Jim Organ executive firector, Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Featured image: (NL Department of Transportation and Infrastructure)
