Click chart for enlargement

 

Photo: Department of Works, 
Services and Transportation. 

Trans Labrador Highway.

 

  • Activity to be maintained at high level despite decline in construction investment of 8.5%.
  • Housing investment to increase by 5.7% to $526 million.
  • $550 million in expenditures at Terra Nova.
  • Major infrastructure programs continue (schools, hospitals, transportation and municipal works).
  • Expenditures of $57.5 million on the Trans Labrador Highway to allow for access from Red Bay to Mary’s Harbour.
  • Increased private sector investment in the retail and tourism sectors.

 

 

Photo: Crocker Photography. 
Construction of the St. John’s Civic 
Centre. 
(Click photo to visit 

Crocker Photography
)

 

 

CONSTRUCTION

Construction activity increased significantly in 1999, led by an increase of 28.9% in construction investment. Gains were broadly-based, incorporating non-residential, residential, and public infrastructure projects. The value of building permits increased in 1999 in most major centres in the Province. Construction employment averaged 11,600, an increase of 21% from 1998.

Non-Residential Construction
Private sector investment increased by 27% to $2.2 billion in 1999, led by the oil industry’s Terra Nova project and expansion of the Whiffen Head Transshipment facility. Employment on Terra Nova averaged 1,000, up from 210 in 1998. Other major private non-residential investments in 1999 related to manufacturing, retail trade and tourism.

Public sector construction investment, valued at $423 million, included an array of infrastructure such as hospital and school facilities, municipal water and sewer systems, and transportation networks and facilities. Major transportation projects included upgrading of the Trans Canada Highway, and construction of the Trans Labrador Highway and major by-pass roads. Additional developments included upgrading of harbour facilities, ferry terminals, and airport facilities. The Davis Inlet to Sango Bay re-location program continued in 1999, employing on average 30 local workers at any given time. For a comprehensive listing of major projects, see the Major Projects section.

Residential Construction
Total housing related capital investment in 1999 was $498 million, an increase of 9.5% from 1998. About three-quarters of housing investment involves home renovation and condominium development.

Single unit housing starts increased to 1,233 in 1999, an increase of almost 14% from 1998. Urban centres (the St. John’s Census Metropolitan Area and the Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Labrador City Census Areas) accounted for 803 of these units, an increase of 38% from 1998, and rural areas accounted for 430 units, a decrease of 15%. Overall, new starts totalled 1,371 in 1999, a decline of 5.4% from 1998. This decrease is attributable to a fall in multiple unit starts (e.g., apartment units, houses with basement apartments).

Trans Labrador Highway
In 1997, the Province started construction of the Trans Labrador Highway. This $190 million gravel highway will provide coastal Labrador residents from Red Bay to Cartwright with a road transportation system and will see an upgrade of the existing Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador City Highway. The Highway will improve tourism opportunities and facilitate future developments in the fishing, mining and forestry industries (see map in 2000-2009 Expectations section).

Phase I of the project consisted of upgrading the existing road from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Labrador City. This phase was completed in 1999 at a cost of $57 million. Phase II commenced in 1999 and consists of a 380 km highway from Red Bay to Cartwright. This phase will be completed by 2002 at a cost of $133 million. About $30 million of this cost was expended in 1999. Government is committed to completing "The Great Circle Route" with a link from Cartwright to Happy Valley-Goose Bay (Phase III), and is seeking funding assistance from the federal government.

New Terminal at St. John’s Airport
The St. John’s International Airport Authority is spending $48 million from 1999 to 2002 on infrastructure improvements. There will be a major renovation and expansion to the terminal building and reconstruction of the main runway in order to accommodate larger airplanes and increased passenger traffic. The terminal will be three times its current size and will include an observation deck and viewing gallery, more jet bridges, covered walkways to parking facilities, larger commercial areas and increased space for virtually all aspects of airline operations.

Artist: N. Mills 
Artist rendition of new Janeway Hospital, St. John’s
 

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