ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The provincial government is moving forward with plans for a proposed road to connect the Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador.
The province announced it has awarded Allnorth Consultants Ltd. a $269,350 contract to conduct a pre-feasibility study on constructing the road.
The study will consider the advantages and disadvantages, the cost of potential routes and necessary infrastructure, post-construction road maintenance and socio-economic and environmental impacts.
Indigenous land use, harvesting and cultural and ecological values are also being considered in all aspects of the study, informed by consultations with the Nunatsiavut government and five Inuit community governments.
The pre-feasibility study follows the completion of more than 1,100 kilometres of paving on the Trans-Labrador Highway between the Labrador Straits and western Labrador in July 2022. The lengthy project cost $1 billion since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.
Labrador MP Yvonne Jones said she is pleased the province is closer to making the project a reality.
"Knowledge and guidance from Indigenous communities, consultations with local stakeholders and environmental considerations from this study will provide the government with valuable information prior to its development," said Jones. "Our government continues to make transport in and out of Labrador’s north a top priority."
A report on the study is expected in late 2023.
