Onward to construction

The summer of 2010, is the summer for Labrador West, according to MHA Jim Baker.

Long-awaited, major projects are finally coming to fruition such as a new hospital, a new college and a significant amount of paving being done on the Trans Labrador Highway.

"Certainly lots of good new things are happening this year," Baker said after he arrived back in Lab. West with the House closing for the summer. "This is the summer really when things are starting to happen and it is already started when you look at the major projects that we've got underway. I think we are going to see very significant progress on all of those this summer for sure."

Paving

The MHA said he realizes people can get impatient waiting and there has been a lot of criticism over the amount of work done last year on the highway.

"People were complaining that nothing was happening, but there was a lot of prep work that got done last year," he said. "And about 75 per cent of a project like this is in the preparatory work. So now this year all they have to do is put down the four inches of Class A and the asphalt on top of that and that is why it is moving fast."

With more than 20 kms already paved, the total 88 kms -to the Miron--will likely be completed next month, according to Baker.

Last year 30 kms was completed on the Goose Bay end with another 50 kms in the works for this year; bringing it to a total of 80 kms on that end.

"Now, I am hoping, as well, that we are going to see another tender out for another 80 [kms] very soon," Baker added. "I am not sure how that is going to be split, probably 40-40 for both ends."

For the people in the area to finally see the asphalt laid, it is a very big deal, the MHA figures.

"I think people are starting to realize now that it is going to be done," he said. "Oh my God, when you wait so long, when the promise is made, I understand the waiting is difficult and I would like to see everything done right away too."

But, things take time and Baker says he is very happy with the progression he sees in his riding this year. Hs pointed out that tenders will be going out for completion of the road widening this year as well.

Hospital

The Quebec construction company awarded the contract for the new health care facility in Labrador West is expected to have the steel in area by this week.

The structure of the hospital will be framed out by the end of October, according to Baker, who explained the contract timeline.

Early tenders we will put out by late summer or early fall, which will hopefully be awarded in time for the contactor to have everything in place for construction of the next phase by spring of 2011. It's a $90 million project expected to be complete by 2013.

College

Students will likely be going through the doors of the new college as early as September 2011, according to Baker, who explained the project is moving significantly faster for a couple of reasons.

"The detailed design work on that [college] wasn't as detailed; so, they were a bit more advanced on that," he pointed out. "Actually they have already started pouring the footings and foundation for that [college]."

Renovations on the old

A couple of things relative to healthcare-- Baker said he was happy with is--the progress with the dialysis unit and the air ambulance going to Labrador.

"With regards to the dialysis," he said, "renovations have started and we are expecting to have that service up and running by the end of October."

Although the air ambulance didn't get stationed in Wabush after a very powerful rally for the Health Minister, the local MHA said it was only 50 minutes away and that is a vast improvement to what people had here before.