Today, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, joined Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, to announce over $2.8 million in funding to improve the safety of local roads and water systems in seven municipalities on the Great Northern Peninsula.
The roadwork projects will improve safety of drivers and pedestrians by upgrading local roadways, building sidewalks, paving streets, and installing culverts and ditches. The water projects involve constructing a water dispensing unit and upgrading a pump house to provide residents with reliable and safe drinking water. A full list of projects is available in the attached backgrounder.
The Provincial Government is investing more than $970,000 in these projects through the Rural and Northern Infrastructure Stream and the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure plan. The Government of Canada is providing over $1.18 million under the plan as well as the federal Gas Tax Fund, while the municipalities are contributing over $727,000.
Quotes
“Our government is collaborating with federal and municipal partners on these projects to enhance communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are pleased to contribute more than $944,000 for upgrades in the towns of Conche, Port aux Choix, Port Saunders, Raleigh, St. Anthony, St. Lunaire-Griquet and Forrester’s Point that will improve communities and the quality of life for residents.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
MHA for St. Barbe – L’Anse aux Meadows
“Investing in improved road networks and reliable drinking water is essential to building healthy and safe communities. Upgrading roadways not only provides a more secure means of travel but also helps to prevent flooding, which in turn protects infrastructure. Improving access to clean drinking water benefits residents’ health and also supports sustainability. In addition, these projects will provide employment as we recover from the economic effects of the pandemic.”
Gudie Hutchings
Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains
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Media contacts
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
infc.media-medias.infc@canada.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Infrastructure Projects on the Great Northern Peninsula
| Location | Fund | Project Name | Project Details | Federal Funding | Provincial Funding | Municipal / Other Funding |
| Conche | RNIS, GTF | Local Road Upgrades | Upgrades to the local roads to provide an improved and more reliable road network for residents. | $210,885 | $117,127 | $59,508 |
| Forrester’s Point | GIS | Intake Screen Cleaning System | Install water cleaning and heat tracing system | $21,944 | $27,430 | $11,122 |
| Port au Choix | RNIS, GTF | Sidewalk/Retaining Wall | Build sidewalks on the main street to keep gravel off the roads and provide safer walking for residents and visitors. | $178,944 | $99,403 | $50,533 |
| Port Saunders | GIS | Upgrades to the Water Supply Pump house | Upgrades to the pump house will include the replacement of two water pumps that service the entire town. The project aims to provide reliable and safe drinking water for residents. | $71,581 | $89,476 | $36,280 |
| Port Saunders | RNIS | Paving – Upper Main Street |
Pave Main Street to provide a safe and reliable roadway for drivers. | $241,492 | $241,420 | $315,835 |
| Raleigh | RNIS | Culverts and Ditching | Install culverts and ditches in addition to upgrading the roadway to accommodate water flow to prevent flooding, protect infrastructure, and provide reliable roads to travel on. | $89,232 | $89,205 | $116,702 |
| St. Anthony | RNIS, GTF | Paving – Various Streets |
Pave 18 local roads to reduce damage to residents’ vehicles and improve safety for drivers. | $227,854 | $126,552 | $64,296 |
| St. Lunaire-Griquet | GIS | Potable Water Dispensing Unit | Build a potable water dispensing unit to provide residents with improved drinking water. | $145,094 | $181,367 | $73,593 |