Department Launches New and Improved Website

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Department Launches New and Improved Website

A new highway camera page and enhanced travel information are all part of a new and improved website from the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

The new site can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .

"More people are using the Internet as an information source, so it's important that the department website is user-friendly and informative," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The changes will make it easier for people to find the information they need, and it also provides new information for the public."

The department's highway cameras page is popular with the public, and this section has been updated. It now includes information on air temperature, humidity and wind speed, as well as images of the highway.

"People see the highway cameras as a valuable safety tool in monitoring weather and road conditions before embarking on travels," said the minister. "This new information will provide additional information for the travelling public."

The department has 20 highway cameras around the province, with another 12 expected to be installed this summer.

The new website will also make it easier for people travelling in Nova Scotia. There are links to travel information, tips on road safety and an updated road construction page.

Plant lovers can find information on roadside vegetation, along with an extensive photo gallery of Nova Scotia's plant life.

On average 148,000 visitors a month go to the department's website, with more visits in the winter months. Staff hope that these and other improvements will encourage more residents and visitors to Nova Scotia to use the site as an essential resource.

In February of this year, Nova Scotians were asked for input on the content and layout of the department website. The valuable feedback gained from this survey has been used to make improvements to the site.