Provincial Road Work Planned

The first set of post-budget highway improvement projects are being tendered Saturday, June 5, announced Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works.

The projects include repaving, paving, ramp-widening and bridge maintenance work in Cape Breton and Antigonish counties and in Halifax Regional Municipality.

"Highway projects are an investment in road safety and the economic growth of Nova Scotia," said Mr. Huskilson. "These projects have been evaluated on their merits by department engineers and been given priority to proceed."

In the provincial budget presented earlier this week, Transportation and Public Works maintained its $59-million allocation for capital improvements to roads.

"Every highway dollar that Nova Scotians give us must be invested wisely, to bring the most benefit for our province," said Mr. Huskilson. "Our focus this year is on improving and preserving existing roads."

In Cape Breton County, three sections of road will be repaved. The Birch Grove Road, from Route 255 in Port Morien to Broughton Road, will be repaved following the completion of municipal water line work. There will be new paving for Hilda's Lane and White's Lane.

In Antigonish County, about three kilometres along Route 337 from the Antigonish town line northerly will be repaved.

Concrete restoration, joint replacement and bridge maintenance will be carried out on three overpasses at the Hawker overpass at Highway 104/Trunk 4 near St. Peter's; Trans-Canada Highway 104/ Pellerine Road overpass, and the Trans-Canada Highway 104/ Tracadie Harbour Trunk 4 overpass.

In Halifax Regional Municipality, concrete on the CNR bridge between the Beechville interchange to Highway 102 will be restored, while the curbed median will be replaced with a concrete barrier extending from the Beechville interchange to Highway 102. Repaving is planned from this location for about five kilometres along Highway 103.

The on-ramp from Highway 103 to Highway 102 northbound will be upgraded to lengthen the acceleration lane, making it safer for motorists entering Highway 102.

The work, to be called in four separate tenders, is expected to begin next month and be completed this construction season.