Construction starting north of Manic-5 to improve road safety for users

03/04/2019 11:00

BAIE-COMEAU, QC, April 3, 2019 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec are working together in the North Shore region to improve traffic flow for residents, maintain existing infrastructure, make the road network more efficient and improve safety to meet current and future transportation needs.

The Honourable François‑Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and François Bonnardel, Quebec's Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Estrie Region, announced today that construction has started on Project C of the Highway 389 Improvement Program between Baie‑Comeau and Fermont.

Project C is taking place between kilometre markers 240 and 254 about 28 kilometres north of the Daniel-Johnson Dam (Manic-5). Nearly $27 million will be invested in this project and it is expected to take two years to complete.

The work involves building a new straighter road over approximately 14 kilometres to reduce travel times and improve driver safety.

Quotes

"I am happy to announce the start of this major work on Route 389, which will significantly improve driver safety and help get people where they need to go more efficiently. By providing better access to remote North Shore municipalities, the project will support the growth of the tourism industry and benefit the local economy. We have big plans to help our regions succeed, and are investing to ensure their long‑term prosperity while contributing in a tangible way to the economy and creating good middle-class jobs."

The Honourable François Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"This work represents a major step in the Route 389 Improvement Program that will benefit the entire community. I am delighted that this work will soon provide North Shore residents with nearly 14 kilometres of safer road. The Program as a whole is progressing well, and people will soon be able to see other significant improvements."

François Bonnardel, Quebec's Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Estrie Region

"Through this work, the Government of Quebec is showing how important Route 389 is to economic development and accessing resources on the North Shore. This section sees a high volume of heavy-duty vehicles. The new road geometry will reduce sharp curves and flatten slopes, helping traffic flow more safely and efficiently."

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region, M. Jonatan Julien

Quick Facts

Route 389 is a strategic axis point for economic development and accessing resources in northern Quebec.
The Route 389 Improvement Program is divided into five separate projects aimed at carrying out essential corrections to improve driver safety and convenience.
$468 million is being invested in the Program, as previously announced, broken down as follows:

Government of Canada: $183 million
Société du Plan Nord: $190 million
Quebec Department of Transport: $95 million

The $21.7-million contract for the construction work between kilometres 240 and 254 was awarded to Dexter Québec.
Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. More than $10.1 billion of this funding is supporting trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated Links

Route 389 – Highway improvements (available in French only)

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html