Government Supports Sustainable Transportation in Springhill, St. Marys

Government is supporting two new sustainable transportation projects that help connect residents and visitors to community hubs and promote active living.

A path connecting schools and the community centre in Springhill, and a new active transportation plan in St. Marys are both receiving funding through government's Connect2 sustainable transportation grant program.

"Investments in active and sustainable transportation have far-reaching benefits -- from health and wellness to the environment and beyond," said Energy Minister Michel Samson. "We are proud to support community-led solutions throughout Nova Scotia."

Government is providing $41,500 to the Municipality of the County of Cumberland to build the Springhill Community Connector, linking local elementary schools to the community centre.

"Once complete, the Springhill Community Connector will provide a safe walking and biking path for students between our two local schools and the community centre, playground and sports fields," said Keith Hunter, warden, Municipality of the County of Cumberland. "This project embraces the spirit of Connect2, and we'd like to thank the province for coming to the table as a partner."

Government is also providing $10,000 to the Municipality of the District of St. Marys to develop a plan that will assess the practicality of sidewalks, widened shoulders and bike lanes.

"People from the municipality come to Sherbrooke to access such amenities as banking, shopping, and medical appointments," said Michael Mosher, warden of the Municipality of the District of St. Marys. One of our key goals in the plan is to create innovative ways to link key destinations, and promote safe and active ways of connecting people to the community, and one another."

Connect2, launched in May, aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.

More projects will be announced in the coming weeks, and all will be completed by March 10, 2016.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation .