Contract Awarded for Pre-Feasibility Study for Road into Northern Labrador

January 26, 2023

The Provincial Government is moving ahead with a pre-feasibility study on the construction of a road connecting the Trans-Labrador Highway to communities in northern Labrador.

A $269,350 contract has been awarded to Allnorth Consultants Limited to complete the study, which will undertake consultations in Labrador and will consider:

• The advantages and disadvantages of potential routes;
• The cost of constructing necessary infrastructure;
• Post-construction road maintenance;
• Weather conditions and climate change impacts; and
• Socio-economic and environmental impacts.

Indigenous land use, harvesting, and cultural and ecological values will be considered in all aspects of the study, as informed by consultations with the Nunatsiavut Government; five Inuit Community Governments of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik, and Rigolet; Innu Nation; Mushuau Innu First Nation; and Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation; the NunatuKavut Community Council; the Town of North West River; and the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

A report on the study is due in late 2023. More details on the procurement of the study are available on merx.com.

The pre-feasibly study is the next step in improving transportation in Labrador. It follows more than 1,100 kilometres of paving on the Trans-Labrador Highway between the Labrador Straits and Labrador West, which was completed in July 2022. Nearly $1 billion has been invested to build and pave the highway since 1997, including more than $230 million since 2016.

Quotes

“This pre-feasibility study is an important next step to the potential development of a road into northern Labrador. This ensures government is doing its due diligence before moving ahead with a feasibility study and construction by considering the cost, impact on communities, settled or asserted Aboriginal rights, Indigenous values, land use and knowledge and consultation with people of the region.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

“The Provincial Government is committed to mapping out a strategy to develop and improve the transportation network in Labrador. The contractor will assess the many factors associated with the concept of building a road that could link the North Coast to Central Labrador. This includes incorporating the views of residents and communities, which are essential in the study process.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation

“The award of this contract is important for the people of Labrador, as it shows our commitment to the transportation network. I look forward to the consultations, analyses and recommendations as to how best to proceed.”
Perry Trimper
MHA for the District of Lake Melville

“I am pleased that we are another step closer to making this important infrastructure investment a reality by proceeding with this pre-feasibility study. 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. Our government continues to make transport in and out of Labrador’s north a top priority.”
Yvonne Jones
Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister of Natural Resources and to the Federal Minister of Northern Affairs

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Learn more
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Invest in a Pre-Feasibility Study for a Road into Northern Labrador

Trans-Labrador Highway Paving Completed Marking Historic Day in the Big Land

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