Province Invests in Good News for Long Island Residents

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Province Invests in Good News for Long Island Residents

Residents of Digby Neck, Long Island and Brier Island will be travelling on better roads, a new ferry and will have more protection from winter flooding due to investments the province is making this year.

"These are significant, welcome and needed investments for the residents and infrastructure of Digby Neck, Long Island and Brier Island," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "They will provide needed support to businesses and families."

The province is widening and repaving six kilometres of Route 217, from Freeport Ferry Wharf towards Tiverton. Dexter Construction was awarded the contract, worth more than $1.5 million. Work is to be completed by Sept. 30.

As well, new armour rock will be added to land near Westport, to help prevent flooding in the area. This work will be done in the fall.

Mr. Baker said the new $4-million car ferry -- to run between East Ferry and Tiverton -- will benefit residents and tourism operators.

It's being built at Halifax Shipyards to replace the Joshua Slocum, which is being retired after almost 30 years of service. The new ferry is expected to be operational by December.

"We are investing in our people, and our province," said Mr. Baker.