2018 Gros Morne National Park AnnouncementFederal Infrastructure Investment ProgramGrand total investment*: $27.5M

Gros Morne National Park  

Gros Morne National Park protects a portion of the Newfoundland Highlands and St. Lawrence Lowlands. It is an extraordinary wilderness environment. With its towering cliffs, dramatic fjord valleys, glacial lakes, coastal bogs and dunes and highland plateaus, Gros Morne’s landscapes rank among the most spectacular and diverse in Canada. Gros Morne is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition to its outstanding natural beauty, its glacier-scoured highlands and spectacular fjords reveal many significant geological features. The rocks here collectively present an illustration of the process of continental drift along the eastern coast of North America. They contribute greatly to the body of knowledge and understanding of plate tectonics and to the geological evolution of ancient mountain belts.   

List of projects:        

Project name: Emergency and major rehabilitation work related to the January 2018 flood in Western Newfoundland - Highways and Visitor Facility Repairs

Estimated total: $5M

Project description: A flood event occurred in Western Newfoundland in mid-January 2018 and caused several communities in the area to declare a State of Emergency. Gros Morne National Park sustained significant flood damage as a result, including damage to Mill Brook bridge; the collapsing of Barter's Brook and Mackenzie Brook Forest Access Road bridges; embankment failures on highways 430 and 431; significant damage to the Mill Brook day-use area and access road; and, damage to trails in the Lomond area.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

This project will focus on both highway and bridge work, as well as reconstruction or repairs to visitor facilities, including:

·  Reconstruction or repair of six failed embankments along highways 430 and 431, in
   various locations;

·  Repairs to Mill Brook Bridge, located on Highway 430;

·  Excavation and removal of excess material located in Mill Brook, including work to
   re-establish the water channel;

·  Reconstruction of two kitchen shelters, a vault toilet, viewing platform and trail, as
   well as landscape work, at the Mill Brook day-use area;

·  Reconstruction of the access road and parking at Mill Brook day-use area;

·  Reconstruction and repairs to Lomond, Stuckless, and Lookout Hill Trails;

·  Removal of the collapsed structure at Barter's Brook, located on Lomond Road, and
   replacement by a new bridge; and,

·  Construction of a new crossing (large culvert or bridge) at Mackenzie Brook Forest
   Access Road.

Project name: Replacement of the Dick’s Brook and Rocky Barachois bridges

Estimated total: $21.9M

Project description: This project will focus on the full replacement of two bridges located in Gros Morne National Park, including Dick’s Brook and Rocky Barachois bridges. Some recent rehabilitation work was conducted on these bridges, and it was during this work that assessments showed the need for complete bridge replacements. Highway 430 is an important connector for the park, as well as for the local community. Constructed between 50 and 53 years ago respectively, each bridge has reached the end of their lifespan. By replacing these bridges, Parks Canada is ensuring public safety and supporting local economic development. The project will provide sustainable infrastructure for the next 75 years.

Project name: Trout River Bridge Repair

Estimated total: $590K

Project description:  In the summer of 2017, a first phase of work was conducted on the bridge to ensure safe and quality visitor access to the Trout River Campground for the 2017 operating season and to allow time for the project team to finalize design work for pending repairs. The second phase consisted of replacing the substructure of the bridge, which occurred in the off-season starting in fall 2017 to ensure its reopening for this 2018 visitor operating season.

* Please note that the sum of individual project values may not equal the grand total indicated at the top of this document due to standard rounding errors.     

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