Trans Labrador Highway lacks direction and control: Jones

Labrador Affairs Critic and MHA for Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, stated today that the Auditor General has confirmed what she has been saying all along about the Trans Labrador Highway: the Dunderdale Government has no plan or direction to complete Phases 2 and 3 of the highway.

“It is obvious from the Auditor General’s report that the Dunderdale Government has no control over this very important project in Labrador with very little direction or priority from the Minister’s office,” said Jones. “Failure of the Department to demonstrate how they intend to complete the paving of the highway through Central and Southern Labrador leaves me with a great deal of concern.”

The Auditor General has identified several deficiencies, including the lack of a formal plan to complete the highway, supporting documentation for decisions made, violation of the Public Tender Act, lack of bridge inspections and follow-up, liability for legal claims, and a general lack of direction and control for the project.

“This is a very important piece of infrastructure for the people of Labrador, and it is high time that the Dunderdale Government take control of the project,” added Jones. “We need a comprehensive plan for the completion of the Trans Labrador Highway that includes costs, timelines, funding sources, and above all, a strong commitment from the Dunderdale Government to complete the project.”

Jones noted that the Dunderdale Government also has no plan to upgrade the 30 year old pavement from L’Anse au Clair to Red Bay, which has seen an increase in traffic from 3,000 to 30,000 users over the last 8 years.

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Media Contact: 

Peter Miles| Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
(709) 729-6151     petermiles@gov.nl.ca