The Department of Works Services and Transportation (WST), Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, began conceptual planning for the St. John's Outer Ring Road in the early 1970's. The project would be an extension of the Trans Canada Highway. The road construction would take place in the northern portion of St. John's and through an area of urban/ institutional parkland known as the C.A. Pippy Park. The park contains many hiking trails, undisturbed natural areas, and public open space. Also, the many trout streams to be crossed during construction through this area have some of the highest unit biomass of brown trout found anywhere in the world. These factors, combined with a significant amount of public concern about the project, dictated a need for a high level of environmental protection and good public relations if the project was to proceed. This project was nominated for the 2002 Environmental Achievement Award.
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