High-tech Highway Tool Coming to Nova Scotia

New technology will save truckers time and money, and make travel safer for motorists in Nova Scotia.

The province, with cost sharing from the federal government, is installing an automated truck weigh scale near the Canso Causeway.

The cutting-edge technology, called mainline weigh-in-motion pre-screening system, uses a highly accurate scale that is built into the highway, and weighs trucks as they cross a sensor at highway speed.

"This investment will benefit truckers and motorists who use the causeway or live in the area around the causeway," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "It will remove the need for properly loaded trucks to stop at this weigh scale, and increase safety for all motorists using this highway."

International Road Dynamics Inc. of Saskatchewan has been awarded the contract, valued at $644,259.

The sensors will be built into the eastbound travel lane near the Canso Causeway weigh scale. The sensors will weigh each truck as it crosses and alert overweight trucks to stop at the weigh scale office for an inspection. Westbound trucks will still report to the scale office.

The majority of construction on the weigh-in-motion system is expected to be completed by the end of July.

This project is funded under the Intelligent Transportation Systems program from Transport Canada.