Transportation/Finance
Ministers announce plans to complete four-lane Trans-Canada Highway (03/11/13)
NB 1056
Nov. 13, 2003
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud and Finance Minister Jeannot Volpé announced today the government's plans to complete the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) in New Brunswick by 2007.
"This
is not a decision that was taken lightly, but one that we believe is in
the best interests of our future prosperity and the safety of New Brunswick
drivers," Robichaud said. "As a result, we have decided to take a two-prong
approach to accomplish our goal."
Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud and Finance
Minister Jeannot Volpé (Large
image) 
Video:(Original) (Translation)
- (more audio/video)
The minister said the Department of Transportation will construct the TCH from Pokiok to Longs Creek using the department's traditional method of tendering contracts. Environmental approvals on that section of highway are expected this month with clearing and grading contracts to be called this fall.
Robichaud also said the New Brunswick Highway Corporation will seek a developer to design and build the highway between Grand Falls and Woodstock. Proponents bidding on the project will be required to submit a financing proposal. Government will reserve the right to accept or reject the proposal. The developer will also operate and maintain a 200-kilometre stretch of TCH from Saint-Léonard to Longs Creek.
"We made the decision to use both the traditional method and a large project because we see it as the most cost-effective way to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway within the timeframes mandated by government," Robichaud said. "We believe that proceeding in this way is in the best interests of New Brunswickers."
"This is a good deal for the taxpayer for three reasons," Volpé said. "First, the Province will get a guaranteed maximum price for the job. Second, the risk of getting the road built on time goes to the builder, not the government. Third, if the financing proposal is accepted, more risk will be transferred to the proponent because the Province would pay for the highway only after it has been built and opened to traffic, not during the three-year construction period."
Click on the following links for background information:
- Status of Land Assembly and Environmental Review
- Schedule
- Procedure for the selection of a Developer/Operator
- Backgrounder - New Brunswick Highway Corporation
- Fact Sheet
- How a Highway is Built
Robichaud said the government plans to be as open as possible about the process of choosing a developer. He said the request for qualifications, scheduled to be issued later this fall, will be filed with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly where any New Brunswicker will be able see it and that government would release the names of the three companies shortlisted to submit proposals. The request for proposals and the final agreement will be filed with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly as well.
Robichaud expressed confidence in the New Brunswick road building industry's ability to participate in a large project.
"New Brunswick's road building industry has proved that it has the skills and the abilities to build a world-class highway," he said. "I am confident that New Brunswick industry has the skills it needs to successfully compete and participate in this project or submit proposals as a developer."
The completion of the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway is an action priority within the building strategic infrastructure building block in Greater Opportunity: New Brunswick's Prosperity Plan.
The project is being jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments as announced by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Premier Bernard Lord on Aug. 14, 2002. Federal funding for this project was made available under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
03/11/13
MEDIA CONTACT: Tracey Burkhardt, director of communications, Transportation, 506-453-5634.
03/11/13