Fixed link study: Byrne says on, Efford unsure

Two of the province's MPs are disagreeing over whether Ottawa will pay its share of a study on a fixed link across the Strait of Belle Isle.

The province's cabinet representative, John Efford, says while he's heard of the study, he hasn't approved it.

Efford wants to talk to Premier Danny Williams and ACOA before he give his blessing to Ottawa's share of the $325,000 required.

"I was surprised to see in the papers that it is a done deal. And I saw a quote there from the former minister, minister Gerry Byrne," he says. "But I've got to talk to the officials at ACOA to see exactly what's happening here, because I haven't signed off on anything."

But former ACOA Minister Gerry Byrne says Efford doesn't have to sign off on anything.

Byrne say he approved the study in early December while he was still in cabinet.

Provincial sources say they expect what's called a pre-feasibility study to proceed and that a formal announcement could come later this week.

Engineers hired by the Centre for Policy Research at Memorial University will look at existing information to determine what's can be built across the Strait of Belle Isle. The possibilities include:

If the pre-feasibility study is positive, the next step is a full feasibility and impact study that's expected to cost millions.

Premier Danny Williams is a supporter of the fixed link and included it as one of his campaign promises.

But it's not without controversy. The MHA for Torngat Mountains and opposition transportation critic, Wally Anderson, says Williams does not have his priorities right as far as Labrador is concerned.

"There are so many things right now that need to be done in Labrador to keep things moving on a day-to-day basis that a tunnel or a fixed link is way, way down on people's agenda," he says.

Anderson say a tunnel would mostly benefit people from Quebec or the Island, not from Labrador.