A joint investment of more than $306 million from the Federal and Provincial Governments was announced today to expand the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) by adding two additional divided highway sections.

The twinning project will include a 15 kilometre section between Bishop’s Falls and Grand Falls-Windsor in the Central region, as well as a section of approximately 40 kilometres of highway heading west, beginning at Whitbourne in the Avalon region. Twinning these sections of Trans-Canada Highway will help increase traffic capacity and ensure better separation between opposing traffic lanes. These improvements will also support reliability and security of access between rural communities, strengthen year-round transportation connections, improve transportation safety and enhance the TCH’s resiliency to climate change.

The Government of Canada is investing $153 million in this project, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is also investing $153 million.

With additional funding of $20 million, the Provincial Government will also make highway improvements that will see the addition of 15 kilometres of passing lane to allow for a continuous passing lane for the first 30 kilometres leaving Port aux Basques. This will allow traffic to flow more efficiently during peak periods of ferry traffic.

The Provincial Government is also moving forward with the completion of the Team Gushue Highway, and has submitted an application to the Federal Government to take the next steps on the project.

Quotes
“Our government is committed to improving our province for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. These significant infrastructure projects will help strengthen the reliability of year-round connectivity between communities, while also making our roads safer and more resilient in response to a changing climate. Today’s investments will also have a positive impact on our tourism industry, and we look forward to tourists and locals alike enjoying all of this infrastructure for years to come.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Projects like these announced today are important for our continued efforts regarding the modernization of our provincial roads infrastructure. They are also significant from a traffic safety perspective, and helping ensure our rural and urban communities are connected to service centres that provide health care and other government-related supports.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“Strengthening our supply chains and facilitating the movement of goods and people is key to economic security. As the effects of climate change are felt by communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country, the investment we are making today in the Trans-Canada Highway will ensure Newfoundland and Labrador’s key supply route will be more resilient to extreme weather events.”
Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Twinning the Trans-Canada Highway here will lead to safer commutes and better movement of goods across the island. That means spending less time on the road, and more time with your family.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr.
Minister of Labour

“Investments in public infrastructure are crucial to keeping our rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador healthy, strong, and vibrant. These road upgrades will make life easier for commuters in these areas by making the Trans-Canada Highway safer and more reliable, resulting in less traffic congestion, and helping our residents get where they need to go.”
Joanne Thompson
Member of Parliament for St. John’s East

“Port-aux-Basques is known as the gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador and this significant investment to our road infrastructure will provide safe and more efficient travel for both visitors and residents. I am pleased to see these improvements in the district of Burgeo – La Poile.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
MHA for Burgeo – La Poile

“This is great news for all of Newfoundland and Labrador. Highway twinning provides safe and more efficient throughout of goods and people throughout our province.  The associated construction and spin-off will employ thousands of Newfoundland and Labradorians. This announcement today represents a significant benefit for all Newfoundland and Labrador residents.”
Jim Organ
Executive Director of the Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

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