Rest Area Strategy Improves Safety, Saves Money

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Rest Area Strategy Improves Safety, Saves Money

Nova Scotia's rest area strategy provides an important safety service to truckers and visitors, according to government and industry leaders.

Rest areas give highway users a safe place to rest, clean up and receive important information. The strategy is supported by trucking and tourism industry leaders.

"We're helping to make our roads safer," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "This is good news for all highway users, including truckers and tourists."

Nova Scotia's first highway rest area is set to officially open at Exit 21 on Highway 104 near Westville, Pictou Co. Another one is planned for the Springhill to Thomson Station area of Cumberland Co. Mr. Russell said the province will review the pilot projects and determine their effectiveness.

"We've finally reached a milestone in obtaining rest areas in Nova Scotia," said Bob Briggs, past-chair of Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. "Our drivers now have a place to rest without stopping on the shoulder of the road or an off-ramp."

"The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia spent a lot of time working with government, industry and community to come up with a sound strategy," said Judith Cabrita, managing director of TIANS. "This is long overdue and provides an excellent and needed service to the travelling public."

Under the province's rest area strategy, seed capital and highway signage is provided in exchange for certain requirements such as 24-hour washrooms, telephones, a set number of truck parking spaces and other services.

Providing seed money to the private sector allows the province to save money on capital and operating costs.

Rest areas are common throughout North America. In Nova Scotia, a committee comprised of trucking industry members plus government officials helped develop the current strategy.