CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Many communities in the province struggle with aging infrastructure, and 13 of them on the west coast are getting a hand to make upgrades that will improve potable water services and wastewater infrastructure.
Gudie Hutchings, the Liberal MP for Long Range Mountains, announced a more than $3.4-million expenditure by the federal government through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan during a Zoom meeting on Friday.
The provincial government is putting in over $4 million and the municipalities will contribute more than $2 million in total toward their respective projects.
Projects include replacing 1,000 metres of water lines on West Link Road in Rocky Harbour with new PVC waterlines, as well as replacing another 200 metres of waterlines in the town. The project will also include replacing valves, curb stops and other associated work. The nearly $1.5-million project will provide more dependable water distribution to residents of the town.
Rocky Harbour Mayor Tony Major said the town’s infrastructure is getting quite old and there have been a lot of breaks in its water lines over the last two years.
The town has a population of more than 1,000 people, and in the summer that number triples with the arrival of tourists.
“To have something like that happen during the peak season with our tourists here in town would be catastrophic for our residents, for our business and for our visitors,” said Major.
He said the town wants to get the work done before there is a major break.
It’s likely the construction will run into the tourism season, and Major said the town hopes to get some of it done before the peak season starts.
The projects
Burgeo: water main replacement, Phase 6
Federal funding, $560,792
Provincial funding, $503,007
Municipal funding, $482,216
Burnt Islands: lift station upgrades
Federal funding, $76,174
Provincial funding, $95,218
Municipal funding, $38,608
Channel-Port aux Basques: Carson Crescent storm sewer installation
Federal funding - $272,929
Provincial funding - $272,929
Municipal funding – $206,564
Parson’s Pond – sewer system phase 6A
Federal funding - $272,050
Provincial funding - $340,063
Municipal funding – $137,887
Port au Choix – armour stone protection
Federal funding - $110,179
Provincial funding - $137,724
Municipal funding – $55,843
Port au Port East – waterline replacement, Romaines Road
Federal funding - $380,365
Provincial funding - $475,456
Municipal funding – $192,785
Rocky Harbour – new waterline replacement, chlorine plant to West Link Road, West Link Road from Eastern Drive to Parsons Lane
Federal funding - $543,634
Provincial funding - $679,543
Municipal funding – $275,537
Roddickton-Bide Arm – sewage holding tank
Federal funding - $233,729
Provincial funding - $292,161
Municipal funding – $118,463
St. Paul's – berm/intake and pumphouse upgrades
Federal funding - $145,094
Provincial funding - $181,367
Municipal funding – $73,539
Steady Brook – lift station upgrade
Federal funding - $90,683
Provincial funding - $113,354
Municipal funding – $45,962
Stephenville – Queen Street Extension
Federal funding - $284,905
Provincial funding - $284,905
Municipal funding – $215,628
Stephenville Crossing – Seal Cove Road water and sewer phase 2
Federal funding - $362,734
Provincial funding - $453,417
Municipal funding – $183,849
Trout River – upgrade water supply intake
Federal funding - $96,609
Provincial funding - $120,761
Municipal funding – $48,965
Port aux Basques will see $752,422 spent on installing a new storm-water collection system on Carson Crescent. The project will also remove and replace curbs, gutters, sidewalks and asphalt affected by the construction, and result in improved storm-water and wastewater management.
Mayor John Spencer said complying with federal wastewater regulations is a big priority for the town.
“We need to clean things up.”
He said the town experiences breakdowns and they are costing a lot of money.
“So, these dollars, to be able to upgrade our infrastructure will go a long ways in guaranteeing clean drinking water,” Spencer said.
It will also enable the town to look after wastewater and fulfil the federal regulations, he added.
“Seeing projects like this today make me feel really good. They’re projects that will improve our community, improve Port aux Basques and it will give people the meaningful work they need to get us through this pandemic.”
“The people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and especially in the Long Range Mountains, we need modern water and wastewater infrastructure,” Hutchings said in announcing the funding on behalf of Catherine McKenna, federal minister of infrastructure and communities.
“It ensures the health and sustainability of all our communities.”
Diane Crocker reports on west coast news.