The government is heralding an “unprecedented” amount of funding for road work across the province this year.

From the north coast of Labrador to the new Galway-TCH interchange near St. John’s, a total of $225 million will be spent on dozens of projects.

Flanked by representatives of the companies that will do the work, Minister Elvis Loveless told media that safety, traffic numbers and climate change were key factors in compiling the list.

But he dismissed any suggestion that politics played a part.

He says any time money is spent in a minister’s district, there is going to be criticism. He notes factually there are more Liberal districts, so it stands to reason more might go to Liberal districts. But he insists he doesn’t take any of that into consideration when finalizing the plan.

Loveless says the hope is for all tenders to be out by the end of May, hinting more good news is coming soon involving federal money.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the province’s heavy civil association was at the minister’s side for yesterday’s announcement.

Jim Organ says news of tenders being let earlier and over multiple years is music to the ears of the companies he represents.

He notes that should eliminate or at least reduce instances of people waiting around, wasting time and money, not being able to begin anticipated work because the tender was delayed.

The heavy civil association also represents road builders, as well as water and sewer contractors.