The Official Opposition is questioning why the provincial government continues to delay important Trans-Canada Highway twinning projects, particularly as families continue to call for safer highways following fatal collisions.
The Conservative government has now said a tender for 15 kilometres of divided highway between Bishop’s Falls and Grand Falls-Windsor will not be issued until the coming weeks, while the tender for approximately 40 kilometres from Whitbourne west toward Arnold’s Cove will not be issued until 2027.
These projects were previously announced by the former Liberal government as part of a $306-million federal-provincial investment to twin sections of the Trans-Canada Highway. Will these delays put the federal government’s contribution to this project at risk?
The Official Opposition is questioning why the government did not issue the tenders over the summer. Why are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians being told to wait several more weeks for tenders to be issued? And why are people being told to wait until 2027 for a tender for the Whitbourne-to-Arnold’s Cove section?
These are questions the Official Opposition raised during the Spring Sitting of the House of Assembly. Instead of providing clear answers on when this work would actually proceed, the government failed to provide the accountability and timelines people deserve.
This is not simply about roads or construction schedules. It is about highway safety and getting people home safely. The government itself has said twinning these sections will improve safety by separating opposing traffic lanes.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve to know why work that could have been advanced this summer was not, and why another major section is now being pushed to 2027.
The Official Opposition will continue to press the government for clear timelines and accountability on the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway.
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