Highway 101 In The Valley A Major Priority

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Highway 101 In The Valley A Major Priority

Highway 101 through the Annapolis Valley continues to be a major priority for national highways funding, Transportation and Public Works Minister Michael Baker said today, March 5.

"Any suggestion that Highway 101 in Hants and Kings counties has not been one of Nova Scotia's top priorities with Ottawa is nonsense," said Mr. Baker. "Throughout our discussions with Ottawa, we have been clear that any agreement depended on funding for this highway priority. Nova Scotians, especially Valley residents, will be able to judge for themselves once the official announcement has been made."

Since 1999, the Nova Scotia government has aggressively pursued the federal funding needed to twin Highway 101 from Mount Uniacke, Hants Co., to Coldbrook, Kings Co. In 2001, the provincial government signed a cost-shared $34-million agreement with the federal government to twin Highway 101 from Mount Uniacke to St. Croix. Construction is under way on this section and is expected to be completed in October 2003. Environmental studies and design work have begun for the next section of Highway 101 twinning in preparation for construction. This, Mr. Baker said, demonstrates the importance the Nova Scotia government places on Highway 101.

"The premier has reached an agreement with the federal government that reflects our priorities based on safety, particularly traffic counts and accident rates, as well as the amount of federal funding available," said Mr. Baker. "We look forward to making a formal announcement that will secure much-needed federal funding for Nova Scotia highways."