FLORENCEVILLE, N.B. (Feb. 21, 2005) — The New Brunswick government has signed a deal with the Brun-Way Group, and is confident the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway will be completed by the fall of 2007.

The announcement was made today by Premier Bernard Lord, Tobique-Mactaquac MP Andy Savoy, Transportation Minister Paul Robichaud, and Brun-Way Group representatives.

Under the agreements, the Brun-Way Group will be responsible for the design, construction and financing of 98 km of highway between Grand Falls and Woodstock, and the selected upgrade of 128 km of existing four-lane highway at a total cost of $543.8 million.

Brun·Way will also be responsible for the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of 275 km of highway between Quebec border and Longs Creek, and Route 95, between Woodstock and the U.S. border, until 2033. Once construction is completed, the Province will pay an annual price of $18.8 million adjusted for inflation for operation, maintenance and rehabilitation.

“This project builds on Greater Opportunity: New Brunswick’s Prosperity Plan to fulfill the government’s objective of making New Brunswick an investment magnet for Canada and a gateway for trade in North America,” Lord said.

Construction will begin this spring with the completion scheduled for no later than Nov. 1, 2007. The Brun-Way Group is assuming the risks of delivering the highway by that date and for the fixed price offered. They are also bearing risks associated with operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of the highway during the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation period.

In April 2003, the governments of Canada and New Brunswick agreed on a 50-50 joint $400 million commitment to complete the twinning of the Trans-Canada Highway in New Brunswick.