Improvements to Highway 101

Transportation and Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson wants Nova Scotians to know that he is serious about improving Highway 101. The minister has directed that planning resume for the 27 kilometre section from Digby to Weymouth to accommodate a four-lane, divided, controlled access highway.

"The Digby-Weymouth stretch of Highway 101 is overdue for upgrading and I have instructed my staff to restart the planning process," said Mr. Huskilson. "We have to preserve a corridor for the construction of the highway."

Transportation and Public Works officials estimate this phase of the project could take up to six years to complete, and includes choosing a corridor, conducting an environmental assessment and designing the new highway that will upgrade the section between Exit 26 (Digby Interchange) and Exit 27 (Weymouth North).

"It would be premature to talk about construction dates at this time when so much depends on where we decide to put the highway," said Mr. Huskilson. "While my staff are working on this, I will be working to secure the necessary funding to see that this project can begin as soon as the blueprints are ready."

Officials from the department met with municipal, provincial and federal representatives from the area in early July to discuss the project.