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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says announced road work in several areas of
the province may not go ahead this year as planned. Reid says the Department
of Transportation and Works are issuing late tenders for some roads projects
and canceling some tenders altogether, work that may no longer be able to be
completed during this construction season. "Minister Rideout continues to
issue press releases announcing projects that will be completed during this
road work season," said Mr. Reid. "Similar to last year, several road
projects will not go ahead due to the lateness of tender calls. It is not
acceptable for this minister to continuously announce projects and then
prolong the tender process that ensures these projects are not able to
proceed. The minister knows that the weather conditions in this province
will not permit road work to take place during colder fall and winter
months, yet he still delays tender calls until the last possible minute.
"In my own district, government announced a $500,000 investment to
complete a section of road from Joe Batt’s Arm to the centre of Fogo Island.
Two phases of this road were completed under the previous Liberal
Government, but Minister Rideout has been unwilling to finish the next
section. The people of Fogo Island finally thought government would complete
this road this year, however, the minister issued the tender late.
Unfortunately, the bids went over tender and it now appears this work will
not be completed as scheduled.
"I call upon Minister Rideout to live up to his commitment and complete
all of the road projects that were announced and scheduled for this year.
There are number of roads in the province that are in a similar circumstance
to that of Fogo Island. It is not acceptable for the minister to announce
funding for certain projects, and then sit back while this work is not
completed. This is what happened last year, I hope this will not be the
circumstance this year."
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