The Newfoundland and Labrador Government announced it is moving ahead with a pre-feasibility study on the construction of a road connecting the Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador.
A $269,350 contract has been awarded to Allnorth Consultants Limited to complete the study, which will undertake consultations in Labrador and will consider:
- The advantages and disadvantages of potential routes;
- The cost of constructing necessary infrastructure;
- Post-construction road maintenance;
- Weather conditions and climate change impacts; and
- Socio-economic and environmental impacts.
“This pre-feasibility study is an important next step to the potential development of a road into northern Labrador. This ensures government is doing its due diligence before moving ahead with a feasibility study and construction by considering the cost, impact on communities, settled or asserted Aboriginal rights, Indigenous values, land use and knowledge and consultation with people of the region,” said Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Indigenous land use, harvesting, and cultural and ecological values will be considered in all aspects of the study, as informed by consultations with the Nunatsiavut Government; five Inuit Community Governments of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet; Innu Nation; Mushuau Innu First Nation; and Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation; the NunatuKavut Community Council; the Town of North West River; and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The pre-feasibly study is the next step in improving transportation in Labrador. It follows more than 1,100 kilometres of paving on the Trans-Labrador Highway between the Labrador Straits and Labrador West, which was completed in July 2022. Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build and pave the highway since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.
“The award of this contract is important for the people of Labrador, as it shows our commitment to the transportation network. I look forward to the consultations, analyses and recommendations as to how best to proceed,” said Perry Trimper, MHA for the District of Lake Melville.
“I am pleased that we are another step closer to making this important infrastructure investment a reality by proceeding with this pre-feasibility study. Knowledge and guidance from Indigenous communities, consultations with local stakeholders, and environmental considerations from this study will provide the government with valuable information prior to its development. Our government continues to make transport in and out of Labrador’s north a top priority,” said Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Natural Resources and to the Federal Minister of Northern Affairs.
Featured image: Paving of the 1,100-km Trans-Labrador Highway was completed in July 2022. (NL Department of Transportation and Infrastructure)
