The Quebec Ministry of Transport highlights several advances in the extension of Route 138 in the Lower North Shore. The Innu chief of Unamen Shipu Raymond Bellefleur also notes on the ground that the construction sites are progressing towards an opening in 2027 of the road from Kegaska to La Romaine.
The work is divided into three phases on this section of almost 50 km. The joint venture of the Unamen Shipu Innu Meskanau community is carrying out an 11 km section, which required large-scale operations in blasting, excavations and installation of culverts. The project began in 2021 and is being carried out with 45% Innu workers from Unamen Shipu.
Innu proud partners
In an interview the day after the visit of Ministers Ian Lafrenière and Kateri Champagne Jourdain on Tuesday, Chief Raymond Bellefleur welcomed the progress of work to open up La Romaine and Unamen Shipu by 2027. Several workers from his community are currently carrying out the great Washicoutai River bridge, a 2-year project.
At the same time, the Côte-Nord Direction of Transports Québec is also advancing east of La Romaine. The approximately 30 km sector between Tête-à-la-Baleine and La Tabatière is divided into three lots. Deforestation operations were carried out this winter in the La Tabatière sector. Construction of the road began in April. Carried out by the Innu community of Pakua Shipu, this project will be completed at the end of 2026.
For the two other lots between Tête-à-la-Baleine and La Tabatière, the Ministry of Transport is at the stage of producing plans and specifications. Even further east towards Blanc-Sablon, Transports Québec is awaiting the opportunity study in 2025 for the construction of the sections between La Tabatière and Vieux-Fort.
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