News Release

ST. GEORGE (GNB) – The provincial government will invest more than $9.1 million in bridges, culvert replacements, chip seal and paving projects in southern areas of the province as part of its 2018-19 capital budget.

“To maintain the effective flow of people, goods and services, your government is investing strategically in roads, highways and bridges,” said Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “One of your government’s top priorities is road safety, and these investments show we are listening.”

Doucet spoke on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser.

Investments include bridge work at Magaguadavic River No.1 and Lornevillle Creek No. 1.

The government will pave a 1.9-kilometre southbound section of Route 7 from the Route 177 overpass towards Spruce Lake Stream Bridge No. 1. A northbound section of Route 7 will be paved, from the rest area where last year’s paving ended to the end of the four-lane highway, as will a section of Route 176 from the C.K. Justason Road area to the Blacks Harbour village limit. Other paving projects include a 2.7-kilometre section of Route 175 from the Pocologan School Cross Road area to New River Bridge No.1, a 1.5-kilometre section of Route 175 from Red Head Road to the Causeway Cross Road area, a 2.9-kilometre section of Route 785 from the Alex Jack Road to Route 175 and a three-kilometre section of Route 790 from Maces Basin to Maces Bay Road.

Chip seal will be applied to a 10-kilometre section of Route 785 between Red Rock Road and the entrance of the Lake Utopia paper mill. Culverts will be replaced on Route 7 and Acamac Backland Road.

Under the Municipal Designated Highway Program, the government and the Town of St. George will fund the installation of storm sewers and curb and gutter work on a 340-metre section of Route 172 between the Fundy High School entrance and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure garage entrance. Under the same program, the department will fund the paving of one kilometre of Route 176 between Brunswick Street and the hydro line area.

The program allows municipalities to apply for funding assistance for capital upgrade projects. Its funding has more than doubled since the 2014-15 fiscal year, increasing to $25 million in 2015. It has remained at that level as part of a government commitment to sustain funding for municipalities.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s $688.2-million capital budget reflects the government’s priority of investing strategically in its buildings, highways and bridges. Strategic investments in infrastructure are a key component of the multi-year New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan, the government’s framework for growing the economy and creating jobs.