Cape Breton to Benefit from Highway Improvements

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Cape Breton to Benefit from Highway Improvements

A contract worth over $1.7 million has been awarded to repave more than seven kilometres of Highway 105 in Cape Breton -- a project that will be finished before the height of the summer tourism season.

The repaving work, from Groves Point exit east to the Highway 125 interchange, including ramps at Highway 125, totals about 7.2 kilometres.

"Continuing improvements to highways in Cape Breton is an investment in Nova Scotia's future," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "Safer and improved roadways mean more efficient movement of goods and services, and smoother travels for tourists who visit our beautiful province."

The contract has been awarded to Dexter Construction. Road construction will take place at night to minimize traffic congestion. The project will be complete by the end of June.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains an inventory of 3,800 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.

Government spent $88.5 million on Cape Breton roads and bridges over the last five years. Cape Breton's share of the provincial highway expenditures increased by more than five per cent during the same time period.