Four Paving Projects Completed

Transportation Minister Ron Russell announced today, July 9, the completion of four major paving projects at a cost of $5.5 million. All four were completed ahead of schedule.

"These road improvements address needs in various parts of our province," said Mr. Russell. "We've come a long way in three years, with increasing capital budgets, and I'm pleased that we're making progress in our plan to complete priority projects as soon as possible."

The following projects were started in mid-April and scheduled for completion in August:

• Highway 103, from St. Catherines Road westerly to the Region of Queens Municipality/Shelburne County line, 6.6 kilometres of repaving;

• Lake George Road, from Pittman Road northerly to Richmond Road, Yarmouth County, 6.8 kilometres of repaving;

• Oakland Road, from Trunk 3 near Mahone Bay easterly to Indian Point Road, Lunenburg County, 6.1 kilometres of repaving; and

• Clementsvale Road, from Clementsport Road to Bear River Village bridge, Digby and Annapolis counties, 7.8 kilometres of repaving.

Mr. Russell said he wants to thank Nova Scotians and visitors for their patience as they encounter construction zones on highways this summer.

"Motorists should remember to pay close attention to traffic control persons and other signs and markers," he said. "The lives of our department staff and contractors depend on it."

The Department of Transportation and Public Works' 2002 capital budget for road improvements is $85.5 million, an increase of $32 million over 2001. It's the third year in a row that the capital portion of the roads budget has increased.

The department's highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains an inventory of 3,800 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Four district offices are located in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.