House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador

Petition  
Presented May 24, 2011
For additional funding for much-needed improvements to Route 510 and
connecting branch roads of the Trans-Labrador Highway
 

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MR. SPEAKER: Further petitions?

The hon. the Leader of the Opposition.

MS JONES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I stand today to present a petition on behalf of the people of Labrador with regard to the Trans-Labrador Highway.

WHEREAS the Trans-Labrador Highway is a vital transportation lifeline for the Labrador communities, providing access, generating economic activity, and allowing residents to obtain health care and other public services; and

WHEREAS Route 510 and connecting branch roads of the Trans-Labrador Highway are unpaved, in deplorable condition and are no longer suitable and safe for the traffic volumes that travel this route; and

WHEREAS Labrador cannot afford to wait years or decades for upgrading and paving of their essential transportation route;

WHEREUPON the petitioners call upon the House of Assembly to urge government to provide additional funding for much-needed improvements to Route 510 and connecting branch roads of the Trans-Labrador Highway.

Mr. Speaker, what people in Labrador are asking is that the government commit and put in place a full plan to pave the entire Trans-Labrador Highway. Mr. Speaker, that is the main highway through that region of Labrador. It is a highway that many people depend upon –

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

MS JONES: I know the Member for Lake Melville would like to contribute to the debate. Hopefully, this afternoon, he will have an opportunity to speak and tell us the reason why he and his government are not committing to pave that section of the highway.

Mr. Speaker, it is a concern for people in the Labrador region. People are using this road, thousands and thousands of people, every year. The traffic volume is going up. Now, Mr. Speaker, they are seeing tremendous optimism with the highway 138 being constructed over the next five years, giving the Labrador Straits a direct connection to Quebec City, Montreal, all that area, through the Lower North Shore road. We see that as an opportunity to start bringing more people into Labrador. We see it as an opportunity for the region and for the communities, but it is an opportunity that can only be realized with a proper transportation link. It is an opportunity where people will be able to really feel the benefits if they have a paved road.

It is not just about what is happening today, the conditions of the road today and the people who are having to use it, it is also about the future and it is about building the region for the long term and capitalizing on that opportunity. Why the government opposite does not have a vision for that particular part of the Province - does not have a vision and does not have a commitment to see that entire section of road paved and for it to start immediately is beyond me.

It is an area that will provide tremendous wealth to the Province. It is an area that today provides tremendous wealth to the Province, but will provide a great deal more. Mr. Speaker, in order for people there to realize the full opportunities and the full potential that new link will bring to the Labrador region, and to be able to increase their transportation of people throughout the area, they need to have a paved road to do it. That is the reason they are calling upon the government, and they are asking them to lay out the plan to pave this section of road, and to make a commitment to us. Do not delay it for two, three, or four years with no commitment, Mr. Speaker.
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