Canso Causeway Improvements
Work begins this week on a project to repave Trans-Canada Highway 104 from Auld's Cove to the Canso Causeway and to carry out repairs and improvements on the causeway.
Until the end of October, motorists crossing the causeway may encounter delays of up to 30 minutes as traffic is reduced to one lane between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday. When the causeway bridge is opened to accommodate marine traffic passing through the Canso Canal, delays could last up to 45 minutes.
Motorists can get up-to-date information on expected delays by calling the toll-free Highway Info Line: 1-866-720-2800.
Trans-Canada Highway 104 will be repaved from the intersection of Trunk 4, near the entrance to the Cove Motel, to the causeway bridge, a distance of 4.1 kilometres.
Crews will also place additional armour stone on the causeway, repair drainage systems and damaged guard rails, and carry out improvements to the provincial weigh station. This will complete the repair of damage caused by a storm that closed the causeway for several hours last Nov. 7.
Ocean Paving of Port Hawkesbury won the $1,235,000 contract in a competitive bidding process. The department spent $223,000 last year on emergency repairs following the November storm.
The department scheduled work on the project after Labour Day to avoid the peak summer traffic. About 8,000 vehicles use the causeway every day.
"We want to minimize inconvenience caused by this extremely important maintenance project," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "We urge motorists using the causeway to allow extra time for their travel until the end of October."
The department will meet with emergency service providers to expedite passage of emergency vehicles throughout the project.
Department officials will keep a close watch on the Port Hastings rotary, just east of the causeway, to ensure it remains open for use by vehicles not crossing the causeway.
Motorists can use the Highway Info Line to record comments or concerns.