March 7, 2022
Transportation and Infrastructure
Provincial and Federal Governments Invest in Pre-Feasibility Study for an All-Season Road into Northern Labrador
On March 7th, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced $200,000 through the National Trade Corridors Fund, to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the construction of an all-season road connecting the existing Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing another $200,000 towards the total cost of the study.
The project will explore the broad feasibility of a new, all-season roadway connecting northern Labrador to Canada’s Trans-Canada Highway network. The roadway would connect communities, facilitate travel, reduce travel and shipping costs, increase food security, facilitate access to essential goods and services, and create economic development opportunities.
The knowledge gained from the research funded by this investment is expected to have important economic and environmental benefits for the region.
The National Trade Corridors Fund provides funding for projects, such as research, in the Arctic and the North to support northern transportation infrastructure like ports, airports, all-season roads, and bridges. These projects enhance the safety, security, economic, and social development in Canada's three territories, the northern area of Labrador, the Nunavik region in Quebec, and the Town and Port of Churchill in Manitoba.
Quotes
“Our government has made significant investments for transportation in Labrador, including ferry services for the Strait of Belle Isle and northern Labrador, and for the Trans-Labrador Highway, which will be completely paved this summer. A road to the north will open up numerous economic and social opportunities and we look forward to meeting with stakeholders in Labrador to discuss this study in the near future.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Transportation is key to economic and social development. This study is a positive first step that will provide us with information to determine the technical, financial, environmental and social viability of a road connection to Northern Labrador. I look forward to working with the Nunatsiavut Government and the Innu Nation as we work towards bridging the transportation infrastructure gap in this region.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation
“Many isolated communities in the Nunatsiavut region are not connected to the Trans-Labrador Highway presently, relying instead on air and marine services for travel and goods. A new roadway connection between northern Labrador and the Trans-Labrador Highway would provide an all-season link to the south, and with it social and economic benefits including access to employment and economic development sites. This pre-feasibility study is a first step in the evaluation process.”
Honourable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
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Learn more
National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder
Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative
Media contacts
Kathryn Summers
Media Relations Manager
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758
