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Profiles of projects in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Argentia
- Bonavista
- Crabbes River
- Gander
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove
- Long Harbour
- Paradise
- St. John's
- St. Lawrence
- St. Lunaire-Griquet
Rehabilitation Rt. 100, Argentia Access Road
Project location: Argentia, Newfoundland & Labrador
This project involves upgrades to Route 100, Argentia Access Road, from the Trans-Canada Highway to the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in Argentia.
This highway was last upgraded approximately 18 years ago and now there are areas where the asphalt has raveled and deteriorated such that potholes are beginning to develop.
The project will involve repairs on approximately 24 km (15 mi) of this road.
The scope of work includes right-of-way clearing, replacement of deteriorated drainage structures, improvements to roadside ditches, repairing and resurfacing damaged sections of asphalt, and guiderail repair where necessary.
The roadwork will complete the transportation network surrounding the Vale Inco site.
"It is a crucial road for the Placentia-Argentia area," explains Felix Collins, Placentia-St. Mary's MHA. "And to have the work commence this year, along with the major work already in progress on Routes 100 and 202, reflects the huge commitment of this government to the Placentia-Long Harbour region. This is indeed great news.
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Federal contribution: $3,000,000
Improving the Tourist Experience
Project location: Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador
As the main trunk highway from the Trans-Canada to the very tip of the Bonavista Peninsula, Route 230 sees more than its share of tourists off to experience spectacular ocean views, visit several historic sites or watch a sunrise at this eastern point of Canada.
Always a hospitable host, Newfoundland makes safe and smooth driving surfaces a priority. Toward that end, the provincial Department of Transportation and Works successfully applied for up to $1.5 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to resurface and improve part of Route 230.
The funds helped pay for improved drainage, new culverts and guardrails, upgraded shoulders and fresh paving.
The upgrades greatly improved traffic flow and have reduced the need for spot repairs that also used to tie up traffic on a regular basis. This, in turn, has reduced maintenance costs.
Federal contribution: $1,500,000
Improved Visibility, Safer Travel
Project location: Crabbes River, Newfoundland and Labrador
Located about 95 kilometres north of the Port-aux-Basques ferry terminal on the Trans-Canada Highway, Crabbes River provides access to a rich camping and salmon-fishing back country that lures locals and tourists alike. The Trans-Canada, which serves villages like Crabbes River, also provides the essential link between the harbor at Port-aux-Basques and the rest of the province for the transportation of goods and materials.
Much of the traffic passes right by places like Crabbes River, but providing safe passage for outdoor enthusiasts is essential for the survival of many of these small communities. As such, an enjoyable trip along this part of the Trans-Canada is an important part of the experience.
The Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to work together to improve the Trans-Canada Highway in the province. This particular project involved $1.25 million from the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, which has helped rejuvenate seven kilometres of the Trans-Canada near Crabbes River. Work crews cleared brush from the right of way to improve visibility, replaced old culverts, cold-milled asphalt and applied a new asphalt road surface.
Greater visibility means improved safety and a reduced risk of hitting a moose, a major problem along this heavily forested section of the highway. The trip into Crabbes River is now safer for residents and tourists, and long-distance truckers have more time to react to possible hazards.
Federal contribution: $1,250,000
Increasing Student Safety
Reducing Maintenance Costs
Project location: Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador
With several freeze-thaw cycles in the colder months, and high precipitation levels, the roads and below-ground infrastructure in Gander take a beating.
With $247,078 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund, the town is making one neighbourhood safer.
Work crews have rehabilitated about 3.4 kilometres of damaged asphalt roadway near a school, replaced a collapsed storm water drainage system under it with more frost-resistant PVC pipe, fixed 1.6 kilometres of rough sidewalk, and built new curbs and gutters.
Mayor Claude Elliott calls the safety of the children attending the school a top priority. "Sidewalks have been replaced on both sides of Fraser Road for that reason. With so many children, cars and school buses moving about at the same time, cutting corners was not an option."
Federal contribution: $247,078
Vital Transportation Link Upgraded
Project location: Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
As the primary highway across Newfoundland, the Trans-Canada connects the primary, year-round trade harbour of Port aux Basques in the west with St. John’s in the east and Argentia in the south. In its middle sits the economic hub of Grand Falls-Windsor.
Thanks to the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador rehabilitated about 16 kilometers of the Trans-Canada between Grand Falls-Windsor and Badger. One of many projects involving the Trans-Canada in Newfoundland, this particular stretch of highway received new culverts, repairs to guard rails and asphalt resurfacing.
All upgrades to the Trans-Canada greatly increase travel safety and efficiency. As an essential link for the flow of billions of dollars in goods to and from, and within the province, and for the important tourism industry, the revitalization of the Trans-Canada plays an essential role in promoting a strong provincial economy.
Federal contribution: $4,000,000
Two Bridges for the Price of One
Project location: Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Using an economical technique involving mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls, residents using the Outer Cove Bridge are getting two new bridges to replace an older structure that had severely deteriorated and become a safety issue.
Thanks to $1,050,000 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the province is replacing the bridge spanning Outer Cove Brook, then constructing a second bridge that extends off the road running underneath the top bridge. The bottom bridge will improve access to the Outer Cove beach, a popular destination for local residents and tourists.
According to Logy Cove-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Mayor John Kennedy, the new bridge will result in a “more direct coastal route between our area and St. John's for tourists, local drivers, emergency and commercial vehicles.” Education budgets will also benefit through reduced fuel consumption and wear and tear on their fleet as school buses will be able to shave 30 minutes off their trips back and forth to the capital.
Federal contribution: $1,050,000
Paving the Way to Work
Project location: Long Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
Route 202 connects the western side of the Avalon Peninsula with the Trans-Canada. It also connects the community of Long Harbour with the new Vale Inco commercial nickel facility that will process ore from the Voisey's Bay mine in Labrador. As such, Route 202 will be the road to work for about 450 people when the new facility is opened.
To meet safety standards and facilitate the movement of goods and services along a 9.5 kilometre stretch of Route 202, the province successfully applied for up to $1,050,000 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which it matched.
Upgrades along the highway included drainage and structural improvements as well as culvert and guardrail installations. A left turn lane was also added at one busy intersection. A fresh layer of asphalt completed the work.
Federal contribution: $1,050,000
Water and Sewer Services - Deborah Lynn Heights
Project location: Paradise, Newfoundland & Labrador
Thanks to more than $2 million in funding from Building Canada's Communities Component and equal shares from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the municipality, the previously unserviced area of Deborah Lynn Heights in the Town of Paradise is being connected with existing water and sewer systems.
As well as increasing the potential for housing development, the addition of these services will provide residents who previously relied on private septic systems with easier access to safe drinking water, proper sewage disposal and improved fire hydrant service through the looping of the water supply.
"The Town of Paradise is committed to providing all residents with a clean, safe supply of drinking water, while ensuring proper sewage disposal," says Ron Fleming, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the Town of Paradise. "The completion of this project will not only provide residents in the area with optimal water and sewer services and increased fire protection, but with peace of mind in not having to worry about water quality or onsite sewage disposal systems."
Federal contribution: $717,217
Economical, Efficient, Effective Delivery
More Space, Reduced Energy Consumption
Project location: St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Public Works and Parks department for the City of St. John's set a basic goal for itself: deliver mandated services "as economically, efficiently and effectively as possible." The condition of the main municipal depot, however, meant the department sometimes struggled to meet its obligations in a cost-effective, efficient manner.
With a commitment of $2.5 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the City of St. John's began renovating the main Public Works and Parks depot in the city.
Originally built in the 1960s, the depot was too small and had energy-efficiency issues. The renovations included an upgrade to the building envelope, added insulation and new air-handling and energy management systems.
The retrofit supports a more efficient operating space for departmental staff and promotes improved delivery of municipal works and services to the citizens of St. John's. This includes faster emergency response times. Energy efficiency has also been improved and greenhouse gas emissions reduced.
Federal contribution: $2,500,000
Safer, Reliable Sewers
Ongoing Maintenance Issues Resolved
Project location: St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
In one residential area of St. John's, property owners had long-standing problems with sewer backups, basement flooding and noxious odours. Because of public safety concerns, city crews visited the neighbourhood every week to flush municipal sewer lines and perform maintenance.
With $200,000 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, municipal sewer lines have been completely replaced in the neighbourhood located in the south end of the city. Residents now have a safe sewer system that will improve public health and safety and the quality of life in their area, and the City of St. John's can redirect valuable maintenance resources to other ongoing municipal projects.
Federal contribution: $200,000
St. John's Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment
Project location: St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
The project at St. John's Bay Bulls Big Pond Water Treatment Plant involves the construction of a new building to house Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) process equipment. This will allow pre-treatment of raw water prior to treatment at the existing plant to improve plant efficiency and capacity.
The initial stage of the project will require construction of two lagoons to handle the waste stream from the Dissolved Air Flotation process. These lagoons have to be in place before the new DAF process can discharge any waste stream from the plant and to allow set-up and commissioning of the equipment and process.
The St. John's Bay Bulls Big Pond is a conventional water treatment plant, which was commissioned in 1977 to primarily deal with color, iron and manganese in the source water. It has a design flow of 110,000 cubic meters per day and serves a population base of 78,500.
The goal is to maintain and improve water quality requirements as prescribed by the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality laid out by Health Canada.
The project was approved through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The total cost of this project is almost $35 million, with the federal, provincial and municipal governments all contributing.
"This extremely important project has been one for which we have been actively pursuing funds during the past several years in order to undertake its construction," said Dennis O'Keefe, Mayor of the City of St. John's. "Funding from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund has now made this a reality. The pre-treatment process being constructed will enable the removal of constituents in the raw water that have restricted the treatment process in the past.
He continued to say, "This facility will have a major impact on the quality of drinking water that we will be providing to the citizens of St. John's and the surrounding communities. Once completed, it will ensure our ongoing compliance with the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines at the highest level.
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Federal contribution: $11,666,667
Upgraded Scenic Highway
Project location: St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador
Route 220 connects villages along the south coast of the tip of Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula. It is also promoted as a scenic drive of interest to tourists wanting to explore the region's heritage.
With the help of $1 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador was able to undertake rehabilitation work on a winding stretch of Route 220, from Lewin's Cove on Burin Bay to the village of St. Lawrence, with an investment of $1 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
Road crews replaced existing culverts, cleaned out ditches, installed new guard rails and highway signs, and pulverized the existing asphalt before laying down a new layer of pavement. Road shoulders were also renewed.
The improved road means faster travel times and less vehicle maintenance for area residents. It also means a safer, more enjoyable experience for tourists wanting to explore the Burin Peninsula.
Federal contribution: $1,000,000
Promoting Tourism
Road to World Heritage Site Resurfaced
Project location: St. Lunaire-Griquet, Newfoundland and Labrador
L'Anse aux Meadows, the earliest known European settlement in the new world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, receives a significant number of visitors each summer. Located on the northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, the final approach to L'Anse aux Meadows takes visitors along Route 436 as it winds for 30 kilometres into the Heritage Site.
To improve access to this national treasure, $1.25 million from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund helped resurface Route 436. Work included resurfacing the road with fresh asphalt, eliminating sub-standard driving surfaces and widening the shoulders. A culvert was also replaced.
Visitors now have a safer and more pleasant experience on approaching L'Anse aux Meadows. Traffic flow has been improved and maintenance costs reduced.
The contract for the work went to a company located on the Peninsula, thus providing much-needed jobs. The improved access to L'Anse aux Meadows and nearby coastal villages should also help promote tourism in the area.
Federal contribution: $1,250,000
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