Route 395 to Receive Repaving, Bridge Work

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Route 395 to Receive Repaving, Bridge Work

Smoother rides are on the way for drivers along Route 395.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works plans to repave 7.1 kilometres of Route 395 and repair the Trout Brook Bridge.

"This is another important investment in the roads of Inverness County," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "We are putting needed dollars in the roads and bridges of this community, work that will help promote tourism and improve connections between communities."

The repaving project runs from one kilometre north of West Lake Ainslie Road to the bridge.

"This project will improve the experience of visitors driving this scenic passage through beautiful Lake Ainslie," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald. "Visitors and our local population will appreciate this investment."

The tender for the work closes Wednesday, July 7, and the work is to be completed by Oct. 31.

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 in capital dollars on Cape Breton roads and bridges over the last five years. Cape Breton's share of the provincial capital highway expenditures increased by more than five per cent during the same time period.