The province has announced that a $13.5-million contract has been awarded for the construction of a two-lane Indian Sluice bridge, which is targeted to open in the summer of 2014.
The $13,533,445 contract for the 189-metre bridge has been awarded to Dexter Construction Co. Ltd.
The new bridge will replace the one-lane bridge and mean less traffic delays during repairs as one lane can be left open.
"We realize how important this new bridge is to the community and we're pleased we've been able to move up the original schedule as part of our five-year highway improvement plan," said Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "It was originally planned to be tendered next year, but the work was moved ahead and residents can look forward to the new bridge opening in the summer of 2014."
Earl Muise, the chair of the Indian Sluice Bridge Replacement Committee, and a resident of Surettes Island, says he is ecstatic with this announcement.
"The new two-lane bridge will be a milestone in our community's history and development,” he said.
Replacing the bridge is part of government's five-year Highway Improvement Plan and the jobsHere economic development plan.
