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News Release April 9, 2003 MINISTER THIBAULT AND PREMIER HAMM ANNOUNCE $61 MILLION TO IMPROVE HIGHWAYS IN NOVA SCOTIA OTTAWA, Ontario - The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure and the Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport, and Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm, today announced a joint cost-shared commitment of $61 million towards the twinning of sections of Highway 101 and Highway 104. "I am pleased that our governments agree on the importance of highway twinning for the safety of all Nova Scotians," said Minister Thibault. "I am confident today's announcement will have a major impact on tourism and on the economy of the entire province." "Securing more federal funding to improve Nova Scotia highways has been a priority of our government since day one," said Premier Hamm. "Better highways mean safer travel for Nova Scotians and visitors to our province. Better highways are an important investment in our economy." "Today's announcement demonstrates once again the Government of Canada's commitment to key strategic infrastructure throughout the country," said Minister Rock. "These twinning projects will increase economic opportunities for local businesses and the many industries that thrive throughout Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada." "The Government of Canada recognizes that the safe and efficient movement of people and goods is critical to our economy and to the quality of life of Canadians," stated Minister Collenette. "Our government is committed to working in partnership with other levels of government to deliver much-needed transportation improvements throughout Canada." The Government of Canada's $30.5-million contribution to these projects will be made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The Government of Nova Scotia will match this contribution. Both governments have agreed to continue to examine how best to support the completion of these twinning projects. The $61-million investment announced today will provide for the twinning of an 8-km section of Highway 104 between New Glasgow and Pine Tree Road, as well as the twinning of two sections of Highways 101 between Falmouth and Avonport, and St.Croix and Wentworth Road. The work on Highway 101 will also include the construction of three new grade separations at Exit 25 near Joggins, at Exit 32, near Hectanooga Road, and at Brooklyn Road, in Yarmouth. Through the $2-billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada is working with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to respond to strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. These investments are directed to large-scale projects of major national and regional significance, in areas that are vital to sustaining economic growth and supporting an enhanced quality of life for Canadians. In the Speech from the Throne of September 30, 2002, the Government of Canada committed to an additional 10-year involvement in public infrastructure. Its Budget 2003 reaffirmed this long-term commitment and provided an additional $3 billion for strategic and municipal infrastructure. In combination with the $5,25 billion in infrastructure programs announced in Budget 2000 and 2001, this brings the Government of Canada's recent investment in the nation's infrastructure to over $8 billion. Today's announcements bring the Government of Canada's investment in Nova Scotia's infrastructure since 1994 to over $405 million. Contacts: Caroline Quinn David MacGregor Rob Batherson Selena Beattie Infrastructure Canada BACKGROUNDERHIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN NOVA SCOTIAThe Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia will enter into an agreement to jointly invest $61 million improvements to Highways 101 and 104 in Nova Scotia. The Government of Canada’s investment of $30.5 million will be made through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Construction work on both projects will be subject to federal and provincial environmental assessments. Government of Canada funding for the two projects is dependent on an environmental assessment to be completed that meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Project # 1 - Highway 104 Highway 104, the Trans-Canada Highway, is the primary east-west corridor in Nova Scotia and an important component of the National Highway System. The Trans-Canada Highway crosses Nova Scotia from the New Brunswick border (Amherst) traveling east linking communities such as Truro, New Glasgow and Port Hasting (Cape Breton). The highway services inter-provincial traffic, commercial trucks, tourist vehicles and commuter traffic. The traffic volumes along the area of the project on Highway 104 reach an average of 11,320 vehicles daily. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada will fund half of the estimated eligible costs, up to $6 million, to twin the 8 kilometres of Highway 104 between New Glasgow and Pine Tree Road. Work on the 8-km portion at New Glasgow is estimated to begin in 2004 and be completed by 2008. Project # 2 - Highway 101 Highway 101 is an important east-west transportation corridor from Halifax to Yarmouth, and is also part of the National Highway System. It passes through the communities of Halifax, Windsor, Digby, and Yarmouth. The traffic volumes along the area of the future project on Highway 101 reach an average of 13,300 vehicles daily. The project consists of twinning two sections of Highway 101 and the construction of three grade separations at an estimated total cost of $49 million. These are broken down as follows:
The Government of Canada will contribute half of the eligible costs of the project up to a maximum of $24.5 million. Work on the two twinning components as well as on the three grade separations should begin in 2004 and be completed by 2008. |
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