News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION--HIGHWAY 104-TRAFFIC SURVEY ----------------------------------------------------------------- As part of the development of the private sector partnership to construct the western alignment of Highway 104 between Masstown and Thomson Station, motorists using the existing road will be asked to participate in a survey to forecast potential revenue based on traffic volumes and public acceptance of various toll levels. "This is a necessary step in the development of the economic and financial analysis of the project, to ensure that we are making decisions on the basis of reliable information. The development of this information by the Department also ensures a 'level playing field' for the people who will be submitting proposals -- so that the proposals can be evaluated on the same information," Transportation and Communications Minister Richie Mann said. The information will be made available by the Department of Transportation and Communications to assist private sector proponents to develop the revenue generation components of their proposals to construct and operate the new highway. Financial institutions require objective traffic volume data and market research to support revenue projections. The department requested expressions of interest from possible private sector partners last Spring, and suggested a wide range of revenue sources, only one of which is tolls. "We're still open to, and indeed encourage, other revenue generating initiatives. Our reason for doing this research is to ensure that traffic and toll acceptability analysis is consistent in all proposals and that data collection methods meet the stringent requirements of the financial institutions," Mr. Mann said. Two surveys will be conducted by Steer Davies Gleave of England who have international experience in traffic volume analysis and toll revenue forecasting. They will be supervising and training students from the Nova Scotia Agriculture College to administer both surveys. Drivers will be asked about their travel time, the levels of congestion experienced and preferred toll levels and payment methods. On Friday, January 20, Monday, January 23, and Tuesday, January 24, 1995, the first survey, expected to take approximately 15 minutes to complete, will be administered at the Esso service station in Masstown. This survey will focus on truckers. On Saturday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 25, 1995, a road side survey, taking no more than five minutes to complete, will be carried out at the end of the four-lane section of the 104, just east of Masstown Road. Car and truck drivers will be stopped at random and asked to participate. A sample of at least 600 drivers is expected to be gathered. Those drivers who are not asked to stop should not expect delays as Department of Transportation and Communications staff will be present to ensure traffic control and proper safety regulations are observed. - 30 - Contact: Donna McCready, 424-8687 lm January 19, 1995