Extension of route 138 between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort - THE GOVERNMENT ENDORSES THE NEW PRIORITIES FOR THE CORPORATION PAKATAN MESKANAU

QUÉBEC, Oct. 21 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - Norman MacMillan, the Minister for Transport and Minister responsible for the Outaouais Région, and Serge Simard, the Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord Région, hâve endorsed the new priorities identified by the Corporation Pakatan Meskanau de la Grande séduction within the context of the project to extend route 138 between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort on the Lower North Shore.

The Corporation has determined that the $73 million that is still available from the $100 million budget will make it possible to pursue the development the road System Connecting Kegaska and La Romaine, along with Pakuashipi and Chevery. This means that close to $4 million will be invested in 2010-2011 in order to build 2.5 km of roads, starting in La Tabatière and heading west.

According to Minister MacMillan: "The new orientations determined by the Corporation Pakatan Meskanau de la Grande séduction are in keeping with our government's vision. Our joint objective is to complète thèse road links, which will be adapted to the realities of the Lower North Shore and, when completed, will improve the quality of life of citizens."

Minister Simard added: "I am very pleased with the Corporation's new priorities, which will make it possible for us to take another step toward opening up access to the municipalities on the Lower North Shore."

Bridge across rivière St-Augustin

The Corporation has decided to remove the bridge across rivière St-Augustin that was included in the original contract. The project for this bridge is not being cancelled altogether. Instead, it will be listed as a priority in a future contract.

Randy Jones, Président of the Corporation, declared: "The Corporation Pakatan Meskanau has adopted a resolution that clearly identifies the priority segments, and we are starting the work now. The bridge across rivière St-Augustin is still in our plans, but given the budgetary guidelines, it in not feasible to proceed with the construction at this time."

In addition, the ministère des Transports has mandated the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) to provide safer hovercraft service that is better adapted to the needs of the municipality of Saint-Augustin and the Pakuashipi Innu community.

In 2006, the Québec government announced $100 million in investments over 10 years for the extension of the road between Kegaska and Vieux-Fort in order to connect the villages. 10 km of roads have been completed so far, including a 6.5-km section heading west from La Tabatière and a 3.5-km section heading west from La Romaine.