Major Improvements to Highway 101

PREMIER'S OFFICE/TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Major Improvements to Highway 101

The Nova Scotia government has finalized a deal with Ottawa that will see major improvements to Highway 101 through the Annapolis Valley.

Premier John Hamm announced today, April 9, that $61 million will be spent over the next several years on Highways 101 and 104.

"Today, we're keeping our word to Nova Scotians. And we're continuing to keep our word to the people in the Valley," said the premier. "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 will complement Nova Scotia's growth strategy by improving an important stretch of highway," said Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "I would like to thank Premier Hamm for his hard work in negotiating this deal with the federal government."

The agreement will be funded under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, cost-shared equally between the federal and provincial governments. The following projects will proceed as a result of the deal:

• Highway 101: 24 kilometres of twinning in Hants and Kings counties from Exit 4 (St. Croix) to exit 5A (Wentworth Road), and west of Exit 7 (Falmouth) to east of Exit 9 (Avonport) -- $35 million
• Highway 101: modifying the existing intersections to grade separated sections at Exit 25 (Joggins), Exit 32 (Hectanooga Road) and Brooklyn Road -- $14 million
• Highway 104: eight kilometres of twinning from east of Exit 25 to the Pine Tree Road -- $12 million

"I would like to thank the federal government for working with the Nova Scotia government to advance some of the priorities of the people of Nova Scotia," said the premier.

The federal and provincial governments have also agreed to upgrade sections of Highway 101 in the Town of Windsor and Highway 104 in northeastern Nova Scotia to Sutherland's River. These projects, and future projects on both highways, will depend on federal environmental assessment and additional funding from Ottawa.

"Securing more federal funding to improve Nova Scotia highways has been a priority of our government since day one," said Premier Hamm. "Nova Scotians can rest assured that we will continue to press Ottawa to return a greater share of the gas tax dollars they collect from Nova Scotia motorists to Nova Scotia roads."

Work on the new projects is scheduled to begin in 2004, with completion by 2007.