Road Work a Priority for Province

More than 270 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia will be paved this year -- one of the largest amounts of highway construction and road repair in years.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works is spending $106 million on capital road and bridge projects across the province this year, and $159 million in operating costs.

"A modern, effective transportation system is key to economic prosperity and to public safety," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "We've increased our investment in highway construction for the third year in a row to help businesses and communities grow and to help Nova Scotians get where they're going safely."

Mr. Baker said the department's capital budget has more than doubled since 1999-2000, and is the highest since 1995-96.

Some of the projects that are planned for the coming year include:

• two tenders for paving of 21 kilometres of new roadbed on Highway 101;

• $10 million for repairs to rural roads throughout the province;

• road reconstruction of 18 kilometres on Trunk 7 on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore;

• completion of Margaree Harbour Bridge and Seal Island Bridge;

• clearing of land, subgrade work and bridge work on Highway 103, from exit 3 at Otter Lake to exit 5 at Upper Tantallon interchange;

• grading work on the Barrington Bypass, Highway 103; and

• the final phase of upgrading to Trunk 19 and repairs to the Judique Interval Bridge.

Mr. Baker said investments will be made across the province in all types of projects, including paving, bridges, culverts and shoulders.

"After years of neglect to our roads, it's good to see that government has listened and is investing real dollars into our transportation network," said Mr. Baker.