A significant accomplishment in transportation infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador will be achieved today (July 5) as paving of the Trans-Labrador Highway is completed. The completion allows residents, tourists, and commercial traffic to travel on more than 1,100 kilometres of paved highway between the Labrador Straits and Labrador West.
A multi-year contract was awarded in May 2020 to JCL Investments Ltd. to complete paving of the highway. Paving on the final section, between Cartwright Junction and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, began in June 2022. Work will continue in the area this month as the contractor completes shouldering work on the highway.
The upgrading of the original highway began in 1997 in three phases, and included upgrades between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador West, construction of a two-lane all-season gravel road between Red Bay and Cartwright Junction, and a new two-lane, all-season gravel road between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Cartwright Junction.
Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build and pave the highway since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.
Construction work since 2016 focused on numerous areas, including upgrades and paving of the gravel road between Red Bay and Happy Valley-Goose Bay and upgrades and repaving between the Quebec border and Red Bay.
The Provincial Government remains committed to advancing transportation infrastructure improvements in Labrador with a terms of reference on a pre-feasibility study on a road to Northern Labrador, with input from community and Indigenous leaders, being finalized. The request for proposals for the study, which will be cost-shared between the Provincial and Federal Governments, is anticipated to be released this summer.
A more formal celebration will be planned later in the summer to mark completion of the paving of the Trans-Labrador Highway.
Quotes
“This is an incredible accomplishment for Labrador. Our government has understood the benefits that a fully-paved highway would bring for Labrador communities and made it a priority to get this highway completely paved. Now that it’s completed, we look forward to seeing the people of the Big Land enjoy it for years to come.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The paving of the Trans-Labrador Highway has been extremely important to Labradorians. Our investments in the highway as well as marine services to Northern Labrador and across the Strait of Belle Isle have led to a more comfortable and reliable transportation network in the Big Land for residents, businesses, and tourists. That will only improve now that the highway is completed.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Building a road across the expanse of Labrador and the completion of the pavement from L’Anse au Clair to Labrador West represents an incredible effort by the Provincial and Federal Governments. While there were many skeptics who questioned whether we would ever see this day, I am most proud to be part of a team who remained firm in our resolve and our commitment to get this done. That day has arrived. This is a proud day for Labradorians and all who have been involved in making this road a reality, particularly the Combined Councils of Labrador who were tireless and relentless in their lobby and advocacy efforts. We still have much to do and look forward to working with our Indigenous groups and the CCL as we embark on new transportation priorities for Labrador.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
“I delivered the first announcement of funding for the Trans-Labrador Highway in 1997. It has been 25 years of investment by successive governments provincially and federally that has gotten us to this milestone. A lot of hard work, lobbying, and challenges were faced to see this incredible infrastructure bring together so many communities in Labrador while strengthening ties within province. While we celebrate the completion of phase three of the Trans-Labrador Highway there is still much work to do. I will continue to lobby hard for all Labradorians.”
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador
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Learn more
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Investing in Public Infrastructure for Newfoundland and Labrador Residents
Media contacts
Brian Scott
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-3015, 725-9201
brianscott@gov.nl.ca
Allan Bock
Labrador Affairs Secretariat
Office of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
709-896-7935, 899-6446
allanbock@gov.nl.ca