A new Provincial government highways materials laboratory will bring seasonal jobs and a community asset to the community of Mt. Stewart.
Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Transportation and Public Works announced today that Mt. Stewart has been chosen as the location for a new 6,000 square foot Materials Testing Laboratory. "In reviewing the present and expected level of Highway Construction and the emphasis on improving quality control and quality assurance, I am pleased today to announce our latest initiative in efforts to enhance the level of service the Department of Transportation and Public Works provides the road building industry."
This facility will feature a laboratory designed to accommodate the various testing requirements for soils, aggregates, asphaltic concrete, asphaltic cement and Portland Cement Concrete. The Materials Section of the Department is responsible for ensuring the overall quality of all construction projects carried out by the Department by coordinating pre-construction investigations, field supervision, material inspection and testing, and evaluation during and after construction to ensure compliance with contract specifications.
The staffing complement for the new Mt. Stewart Materials Lab will include six permanent full-time, and 14 permanent part-time employees. As well, the seasonal complement of casual employees will include eight lab/plant technicians, six student technicians and 12 flagging personnel.
Mt. Stewart was chosen because of its geographical location while at the same time providing for a Maintenance Depot storage area. "In meeting the need for the facility, we have also taken the opportunity to locate the building in this community reflecting the government's commitment to community development," stated Mr. Currie.
Tenders will be called soon and construction will begin immediately with the expectation the building will be ready by late fall.