Dredging contract awarded for Deer Island Ferry

A $1.7-million underwater dredging project aimed at enhancing ferry service between Letete and Deer Island has been awarded to R.J.MacIsaac Construction Ltd. Work will begin this month in the Goat's Point area. Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet made the announcement today on behalf of Transportation Minister Denis Landry. Doucet said that the department will work closely with the contractor to co-ordinate a project work schedule. "This investment will not only enhance day-to-day ferry operations, it also ensures the service can function safely in emergency situations," said Doucet. "We are pleased to be delivering a project that strengthens the island's connection to the mainland, which is a major priority for the people of Deer Island."
Funding for this project, which is to be completed this winter, will come from the department's $385.8 million capital budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Dementia News Conference

A news conference is scheduled for Fredericton this morning and the topic is Dementia. New statistics about the projected economic and social costs of the disease will be released by the Provincial Alzheimer Society to mark Alzheimer Awareness month. It warns the health care system could be overwhelmed. Twelve thousand people in this Province are living with a form of dementia and it is estimated that close to 15% are baby boomers under the age of 65. The news conference gets started at ten.

Maritime Storm

There's more snow and rain in the forecast for the Maritimes today --but nothing as severe as the weekend.
Up to 30-centimetres of snow fell on parts of the region yesterday and high winds knocked out power to 45-thousand customers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P-E-I. Rain and flurries are predicted for St. Stephen and surrounding area today..