Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador improve safety for travellers on the Veterans Memorial Highway

BAY ROBERTS, NL, June 28, 2018 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador recognize that safe and efficient roadways are crucial to encouraging and supporting economic activity, facilitating trade, and creating well-paying, middle class jobs.

Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Steve Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced over $4.8 million in joint funding for improvements to the Veterans Memorial Highway.

The Government of Canada is contributing up to $2.2 million to this project through the Provincial ? Territorial Infrastructure Component ? National Regional Projects. The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will cover the remainder of project funding.

Work includes the creation of additional ramps at the Valley Road interchange on Route 70 in Carbonear, and the addition of rumble strips and passing lanes along Route 75, between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Bay Roberts Interchange at Country Road.

These improvements not only mean safer roads, less accidents and reduced congestion during busy times, but they also support the continued economic growth of the region and the efficient transportation of goods across the province.

Quotes

"Strategic investments in transportation infrastructure help address issues along vital road and highway corridors and increase public safety. These improvements to the Veterans Memorial Highway, will ensure that both people and products can move quickly and safely, while fostering long-term prosperity."

Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"These upgrades to Veteran's Memorial Highway and Route 70 will help prevent accidents that have increased in this area by creating opportunities to pass slowly moving vehicles and alerting motorists who veer from their lanes. However, we continue to stress that everyone needs to reduce their speed, put down their cellphones and pay attention while driving on all highways. We will also continue to work with local police enforcement to ensure motorists drive at reasonable speeds for the safety of everyone."

The Honourable Steve Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Transportation and Works

Quick facts

• This work marks the first time in the province's history that rumble strips will be added to the centre line of a highway where passing is prohibited to alert motorists who inadvertently veer from their lane. The strips will also be added to the highway shoulders.
• The two additional right-turning ramps on Route 70 will also increase safety and eliminate the need for vehicles, including school buses to and from the Carbonear Academy and Carbonear Collegiate, to cross oncoming traffic to exit the highway.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• These investments complement the Atlantic Growth Strategy, a 2-year federal-provincial action plan aimed at stimulating economic growth in the region through five priority areas:
• Skilled workforce/Immigration;
• Innovation;
• Clean growth and climate change;
• Trade and investment;
• Infrastructure.

Associated links

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Newfoundland and Labrador: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/nl-eng.html

Atlantic Growth Strategy: http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/ags-sca/Eng/atlantic-growth.html

Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada