Blue Route Selected at Antigonish

A new Trans-Canada Highway route will be located just south of the existing Highway 104 at Antigonish, Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works announced today.

An independent review of alternatives concluded that the Blue Route is the best option. The independent report, along with the Department of Transportation and Public Works' study, were tabled in the legislature today by the minister. The consultants recommend a number of modifications to the route and to the manner in which the department plans complex highway projects.

"This peer review has provided a very useful, objective look at this project," said Mr. Russell. "It recommends the choice that best balances the transportation and economic opportunities that come with this project. I accept the report's conclusions."

The review, prepared by Ontario engineers Arthur Scott and Jack De Chiara and economic analyst Jason Ducharme, concluded the Blue Route was the most acceptable of three proposed alignments.

The report says the Blue Route best serves traffic today and into the future. The consultants recommended the department review the design of a number of interchanges.

Although closer to the town and favored by many area residents, the consultants determined that the Red Route would not have the capacity to deal with anticipated growth of cross-town and through traffic. They were also concerned about significant traffic delays during the two- to three- year construction period.

The consultants deemed the Brown Route unacceptable because of its remote location and the adverse effect it would have on the town's economy.

"The consultants also made some positive suggestions that will help us in our future planning processes, and particularly help us to fulfill our Blue Book commitment to link highway routes and economic development," said Mr. Russell. "We made a commitment to consider the economic impact of new highways on our communities. We're doing so with this decision."

The route selection clears the way for an environmental assessment, detailed highway design plans and property acquisition. The environmental assessment will take a minimum of two years.

Survey and detailed design takes another year before the province can proceed with buying the bulk of property needed to build the road. Construction is dependant upon federal/provincial cost- shared funding. The earliest construction could begin is 2005.

The alignment of the proposed highway has been a source of considerable controversy in Antigonish and the surrounding area over the past two years.

"Obviously the people of Antigonish care about their community," said the minister. "That's part of what makes it such a great Nova Scotia community. This issue has been thoroughly debated and thoroughly studied. It's time for all concerned to come together to take advantage of the opportunities that a new highway will bring."

The Highway 104 Antigonish Alignment Recommendation Report, and the Peer Review Highway 104 Upgrading report, are available online at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .