Six Major Paving Projects Completed in Metro

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Six Major Paving Projects Completed in Metro

Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell has announced the completion of six major paving projects at a cost of $9,100,000. All six metro-area projects were completed ahead of schedule.

"These road improvements address needs in the capital region of our province," said Mr. Russell. "About 135,000 vehicles a day use the roads we have resurfaced. Thanks to our increased roads budget we can complete priority projects such as these sooner."

The sections with fresh pavement in Halifax Regional Municipality include:

• Highway 102: northbound lanes between Bedford and Fall River, about 6.8 kilometres ($1.9 million)
• Highway 101: from Exits 1 to 3, 33 kilometres of microsurfacing ($1.2 million)
• Highway 111: between Lake Banook and Pleasant Street, about 5.9 kilometres ($1.7 million)
• Route 277: from Antrim Road to Gays River, about 2.6 kilometres ($804,000)
• Route 333: from Mills Drive to Brookside Road, about 7.2 kilometres ($1.4 million)
• Northwest Arm Drive: from Main Avenue to Old Sambro Road, about 4.6 kilometres ($2.1 million)

Mr. Russell said that 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. The lives of our department staff and contractors depend on it," he said.

The minister added that motorists should be aware that construction season is still in full swing. He noted some of the other major repaving projects coming up in the area, including:

• Highway 107: from Exit 21 to Trunk 7, about 7.2 kilometres
• Trunk 7: from Spry Bay to Route 224, about 9.5 kilometres
• Route 207: from Ross Road to Lawrencetown Road, about 6.9 kilometres

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.