The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Barry Petten, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

I rise today to recognize the completion of a project that has been many years in the making and one that will continue to have a lasting impact on transportation throughout the Northeast Avalon.

The opening of the final section of the Team Gushue Highway marks the completion of a critical transportation link that now makes daily travel safer, easier and more efficient for thousands of residents, workers, students and visitors.

For years, growing traffic volumes have placed increasing pressure on our road network. With this final connection now in place, commuters benefit from improved access, reduced congestion and shorter travel times. Residents of the southern Avalon now also enjoy more direct access to major health care facilities, educational institutions and employment centres.

This achievement was made possible through a joint investment of $30 million by the provincial and federal governments. It reflects a shared commitment to improving road safety, strengthening connectivity and supporting economic growth.

I would also like to recognize the engineers, contractors, project staff and public service employees whose expertise and dedication helped bring this project to completion.

As a government, we remain committed to investing in infrastructure that meets the needs of growing communities, strengthens connections between regions and supports a safer, stronger and more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you, Speaker.