CARTWRIGHT, Nfld. — Premier Roger Grimes officially opened the Red Bay to Cartwright section of the Trans-Labrador Highway on Sept. 13 in a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“This is such a significant milestone for Labrador, and really, for the entire province,” said Grimes. “This is not just a highway; it is a door that has opened to economic development for another rural region of the province.”

The Premier was joined by Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wally Andersen, Works, Services and Transportation Minister Jim Walsh and Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair MHA, Yvonne Jones. Labrador MP Lawrence O’Brien, municipal leaders and residents of the area also participated in the event.

Construction of the Red Bay to Cartwright section of the Trans Labrador Highway began in the summer of 1999. Government invested $135 million into constructing the highway and access roads to St. Lewis and Charlottetown a total of 410 kilometres.

“Today we celebrate the efforts of those who worked very hard in getting this road built and therefore helped improve transportation in Labrador,” said Minister Walsh. “Constructing this highway has been a major project for my department and we look forward to starting construction on the next phase of the highway between Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Cartwright junction.”

In its 2002-03 budget, the provincial government committed to constructing a highway between the Cartwright junction and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the final link which will connect western and central Labrador with the south coast. Environmental work on phase three is proceeding, with construction anticipated to begin next summer.