Today, the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced an historic investment of nearly $1.4 billion to improve highway and road transportation infrastructure over the next five construction seasons. This is the largest provincial investment in highway and road infrastructure over a five-year period in the province’s history.
Premier Furey was joined by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance; the Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure; and Craig Foley, CEO of Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador for today’s announcement at the Colonial Building in St. John’s.
This multi-year investment will allow the province’s highway construction industry to plan their expenditures each year and increase their workforce ahead of each construction season. Once complete, the investment will result in an increase in safe, reliable and secure highway and road infrastructure to benefit municipalities, residents, and the commercial and tourism industries.
The investment includes $225 million for highway and road construction in 2023-24. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates some funding will be allocated for various federal-provincial cost-shared construction projects, which will increase the total funding and result in more work being completed.
Projects selected for the province’s roads plan each year continue to be selected based on:
- The impacts of climate change;
- Highway safety;
- Input from the department’s engineers;
- Commercial, industry, and tourism impacts;
- Traffic volumes;
- Populations serviced; and
- Input from motorists.
To date, tenders for 10 highway construction projects have been issued by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for the 2023 highway construction season. Information on tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.
Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.
Quotes
“In my travels around the province, transportation continues to be one of the most frequent topics Newfoundlanders and Labradorians discuss with me. We all know how important reliable road infrastructure is to residents, visitors, municipalities, the business community, and the tourism industry. Through this historic provincial investment over five years, our government is committed to getting the work done to improve roads and highways for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Today’s announcement is an example of how your government is modernizing and transforming Newfoundland and Labrador. We are being strategic, responsible, and resourceful. Through our strategic plan for financial improvement, it is possible to strive towards a balanced budget, and yet continue to invest in key initiatives like infrastructure.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance
“We consulted and worked in collaboration with the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador as we prepared for the upcoming year. Informing the industry of a consistent investment in highways and roads years in advance is very important. We look forward to a more productive construction season this year and into the future.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Today’s announcement will ensure visitors will have more efficient access around our province. They’ll be able to connect with our people, explore our unique places and culture, and support our businesses and communities. Improved roadways will allow travelers to truly experience the very best of what Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer.”
Craig Foley
CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn more
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