The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced funding to mitigate the risk of bridge washouts and flooding on provincial highways and roads.

“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.” Said Steve Crocker, Minister of Transportation and Works.

This funding is allocated for projects to replace the Deer Lake Tailrace Bridge and Rushy Pond Bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway; the Ballam Bridge and Hughes Brook Bridge on Route 440 (North Shore Highway), and the 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 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,” said Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains.

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.

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