Province Ready to Begin Work on 101

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS–Province Ready to Begin Work on 101

Construction on the twinning of Highway 101 will likely begin as early as August if federal highway funds are directed, as expected, to Nova Scotia.

The federal government has announced $30 million in funding for urgent highway projects in Canada will be made available this year.

"We’re ready to go," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "We’ve been preparing for this opportunity for years and have committed $5 million in this year’s budget to continue work on Nova Scotia’s number 1 highway priority."

Premier Hamm and Mr. Russell repeatedly asked the federal government to release highway infrastructure funding this year instead of in 2002 as originally planned by Transport Minister David Collenette. Ottawa has set aside $485 million over five years to fund highway construction projects in Canada.

Nova Scotia committed $5 million to begin twinning Highway 101 in the 2001-02 budget, contingent upon federal cost-shared funding becoming available. Minister Russell said it is his intention to dedicate that funding this year to building the roadbed along a stretch from Mount Uniacke towards Ellershouse.

The province spent about $1 million last year getting Highway 101 ready for twinning. The Mount Uniacke Interchange is undergoing an extension and clearing began this winter on the future roadway.

"We have worked hard, and Nova Scotians have been patient,” Mr. Russell said. “We think the federal government will recognize that."

The minister recognized the efforts of Premier Hamm, who has made highway funding from the federal government a priority in his Campaign for Fairness.