News Release Archive
PREMIER--ENGLISHTOWN BRIDGE PRIORITY ----------------------------------------------------------------- The provincial government will look at the possibility of constructing a bridge between Englishtown and Jersey Cove, Victoria County, through a public-private partnership, Premier John Savage said today. "I have instructed our government's special public-private partnering committee to make this project its top priority." Premier Savage said its possible that a partnership between the government and the private sector "could significantly reduce the cost and timing of a bridge project." The provincial government is currently involved in a number of public-private partnerships including the construction of several state-of-the-art schools, one of which is in Sydney, as well as the Highway 104 Western Alignment project. "At a time when the government just doesn't have the money needed to take on major new capital projects, it makes sense to look at a partnership with the private sector as an option," he said. Premier Savage said there is no guarantee that public-private partnering will work on every project. Both sides have to benefit for such a project to make sense. "However, in the case of the long sought after bridge at Englishtown, we owe it to local residents to examine every possible option for an early start and completion. A bridge would provide local residents with a reliable, year-round transportation link," he said. The premier said he wants an answer from the government partnership group by the end of this year. -30- Contact: David Harrigan 902-424-6600 trp August 12, 1996 - 2:05 p.m.