NB 1220
Nov. 1, 2004
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The provincial government is moving closer to its objective of completing the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway with the receipt of the financial submissions from the consortia that are participating in the request for proposal process, Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud announced today.
"The objective of the Province is to maximize the economic and industrial benefits generated by the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway to the citizens, aboriginal communities and industries of New Brunswick," Robichaud said. "The consortia must provide in their financial submission a clear statement of their commitment to these objectives."
The consortia have to demonstrate their abilities to design, build, finance, operate, maintain and rehabilitate the new highway. The financial submissions will also be evaluated to ensure they comply with the economic and industrial benefits and Aboriginal inclusion requirements of the request for proposals.
The selection of a developer-operator will be made by the end of the year followed by the signature of the agreement and start of the construction in the spring of 2005.
The successful bidder will design, build, and finance a 98-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway between Grand Falls and Woodstock. The consortium chosen will also have to operate, maintain, and rehabilitate 274 kilometres of highway. Brun-Way Group Joint Venture and River Valley Road Development Company are vying to win the contract to complete the Trans-Canada Highway.
The completion of the four-lane Trans-Canada Highway in 2007 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 through the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement for the Completion of the Twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick.
04/11/01
EDITOR'S NOTE: For further information concerning the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway, the designated contact is Project Manager Fred Blaney, 506-444-2007. MEDIA CONTACTS: Mona Chiasson, TCH Project Communications, Transportation, 506-453-3091; Alain Bryar, Communications, Transportation, 506-453-5634.
04/11/01