Department of Works, Services and Transportation

Departmental Budget 96
Backgrounder

• Significant Expenditures:

  Total capital expenditure on highway construction this year will exceed $64 million.
  

  • $30 million under the Trans Canada Highway Agreement
    $20 million under the regional Trunk Roads Agreement
    $8 million for the Trans Labrador Highway
    $6 million Provincial Roads Program

  $8 million for upgrading work in Labrador, primarily on the Trans Labrador Highway from Churchill Falls to Goose Bay.

  $3.5 million in new funding for the Bell Island Ferry Service
  

  • $2.8 million as down payment for a used replacement vessel
    $200,000 to refit the `Katherine' for the summer
    $500,000 to repair breakwater at Portugal Cove
• Limited Expenditures:

  $6 million for Provincial Roads Program this year compared to $15 million in 1995/96.
  

  • Government recognizes the desire of many residents to have their gravel roads upgraded and paved. As well, it is recognized paved roads need resurfacing on a periodic basis. Nevertheless, due to the current economic situation Government has decided to only do projects this year which are considered essential for safety reasons. These include repairs to bridges and culverts.

  $1.2 million less for Summer road Maintenance.

  $1.5 million less for heavy equipment purchases.

  No funding to install signs under the Signage Program.

  No new building construction this year. Carry-over work will continue on:
  

  • Philip Place in St. John's
    Curtis Hospital St. Anthony
    Lion's Manor in Placentia

  $500,000 less in Building Maintenance.

  Air subsidy program will remain eliminated.
  

  • Labrador Coastal air Passenger subsidy
    Winter Foodlift subsidy (Southern Labrador and Harbour Deep)