No. H116/02
For release October 28, 2002

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND PROVINCE OF
NOVA SCOTIA CONTRIBUTE $7.2 MILLION FOR
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN NOVA SCOTIA

SYDNEY, N.S. - Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Robert G. Thibault together with MP (Sydney-Victoria) Mark Eyking, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, and Nova Scotia Minister of the Office of Economic Development Cecil Clarke, on behalf of Nova Scotia Minister of Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell, today announced that the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia will contribute $7.2 million under the Canada/Nova Scotia Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP) for a twinning project on Highway 125.

Under the Canada/Nova Scotia SHIP agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia will provide joint funding of $34.6 million until March 2006 for highway improvement projects in the province. The Canada/Nova Scotia SHIP agreement, signed July 27, 2001, is part of the national $600 million SHIP program announced by Mr. Collenette in April 2001.

“Twinning this portion of Highway 125 is an important step in helping Nova Scotia improve its roads. It will benefit the people of Nova Scotia, since residents and goods will be able to travel more efficiently within the province,” said Mr. Thibault.

“Through the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada is once again demonstrating its commitment to improving Canada’s highways,” said Mr. Collenette. “This project will enhance safety and ease congestion on this well-travelled section of the National Highway System.”

The project involves twinning a 5.4 kilometre portion of Highway 125 between Balls Creek and Coxheath Road, near Sydney River. Four ramps at the Coxheath Road underpass will also be added, and the eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 125 at Sydney River Bridge will be widened. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2005.

“It's great news for the community,” said Mr. Clarke. “This investment will mean a safer, more efficient Highway 125 that will make it easier for people to get to and from work and school, and to make other connections to communities throughout Cape Breton. And we all know how important highway improvements are to businesses that rely on tourism for their livelihood.”

“Good roads are essential to the well-being of Nova Scotians, and the province looks forward to continued co-operation with the Government of Canada on future highway projects,” added Mr. Clarke.

“This project is a fine example of cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia for the betterment of roads in the province,” said Mr. Eyking. “The people of Cape Breton will benefit from these improvements.”

Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Please see the attached backgrounder for further information on SHIP.

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Contact: Anthony Polci
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700

Jennifer Savoy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Ottawa, (613) 992-3474

Richard Perry
Transportation and Public Works
Nova Scotia
(902) 424-8978

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at  apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

BACKGROUNDER

In the February 2000 Budget Speech, the Government of Canada committed to improve the economy and the quality of life for Canadians by investing up to $600 million over five years in highway infrastructure across Canada. In April 2001, Transport Minister David Collenette announced the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). The program has two components: a $500 million highway construction component and a $100 million national system integration component.

Under the program, $500 million, including $15 million for administrative costs, will be available to address the needs of Canada’s highways until March 2006. The program formally begins in fiscal year 2002-2003. The Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories to identify those parts of the national highway system that - because of growing traffic and increasing trade - need immediate attention. This will result in a safer and more efficient highway system for all Canadians.

An allocation formula has been developed to distribute the $485 million available to the provinces and territories under SHIP. The formula consists of a minimum of $4 million per jurisdiction plus a share based on population and a 50-50 cost-sharing ratio. Under this formula, the total federal allocation for the Province of Nova Scotia is $17.3 million. Under previous joint highway funding agreements since 1987, Transport Canada contributed $258.3 million to Nova Scotia. This brings the total funding from Transport Canada to $275.6 million.

An environmental assessment that meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken before the project begins. Funding for this project is conditional on the results of the assessment.

SHIP will also provide $100 million nationally to fund initiatives that better integrate the transportation system. These include the deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems across Canada, improvements to border crossings and better transportation planning. Intelligent Transportation Systems include applications such as advanced systems for traveller information, traffic management, public transport, commercial vehicle operations, emergency response management and vehicle safety.

October 2002