Hatch Mott MacDonald, in association with SGE Acres, C-CORE and the IBI Group, has been awarded the contract for the pre-feasibility study of a fixed link across the Strait of Belle Isle by Memorial University of Newfoundland's Public Policy Research Centre. Hatch Mott MacDonald is an experienced engineering firm with offices located across the United States and Canada; SGE Acres and C-CORE are based in St. John's.

The objective of the pre-feasibility study is to undertake an independent examination of the technical and economic implications and viability of constructing a fixed transportation link between Labrador and the island of Newfoundland, and to provide a basis for determining whether to proceed with a full feasibility study at a future date. The work plan for this study includes: background research on the geological and environmental features of the location; an assessment of the transportation, engineering and structural requirements; and a benefit-cost analysis of the project.

Hatch Mott MacDonald is a world-renowned infrastructure engineering company with expertise in tunnelling and long span bridges. The experience of this company includes major tunnelling and bridge projects for marine crossings in North America and worldwide, such as the 50 km long Channel Tunnel between France and England and the 8 km long Storebaelt Tunnel in Denmark. The IBI Group is a multinational company with significant experience in transportation planning and economic analysis. SGE Acres has a long history of involvement in major projects in Newfoundland and Labrador and C-CORE is well known for its oceanographic and ice engineering expertise.

The total cost of this project is $351,674, of which 80 per cent is being provided by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and 20 per cent by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The funding for the pre-feasibility study was announced by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in January 2004. The request for proposals was placed in national and provincial newspapers by the Public Policy Research Centre in late January 2004, with a proposal deadline of Feb. 26, 2004. Proposals were evaluated by a project advisory committee consisting of officials from the Public Policy Research Centre and the provincial and federal governments.

The completion date for the Pre-feasibility Fixed Link Study is late summer 2004.