News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--HIGHWAY 104-SALT SPRINGS TO ALMA
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A total of $54 million will be spent on a new four-lane corridor
for Highway 104 from Salt Springs to Alma, bringing jobs and a
safer, faster route to Pictou County.
This announcement was made today by Transportation and Public
Works Minister Don Downe and Central Nova MP Roseanne Skoke, on
behalf of Federal Transport Minister David Anderson.
"We remain committed to improving that infrastructure, to
building better roads for Nova Scotia that boosts everything from
access, to safety and the economy," Mr. Downe said. "With $23
million budgeted, this is the largest dollar commitment to a
highway project in Nova Scotia this year and it's going to
deliver a faster, safer highway in 1998."
"This twinning project will improve safety and transportation
efficiency on what is an essential part of this region's
infrastructure. This is another example of federal provincial
co-operation," said Ms. Skoke.
This project, cost-shared with Transport Canada, will take in a
12.7 kilometre stretch from West River, easterly to the existing
Highway 104 at Alma. Upgrading, including grading and structural
work is expected to be completed this construction season. Paving
of the new four-lane divided highway will be carried out next
year. The new sections of the highway are expected to open to
traffic in the fall of 1998.
"This project makes good economic sense. Highway 104 is the
backbone of business, industry and tourist travel to northeastern
Nova Scotia, Pictou County and Cape Breton Island," said Mr.
Downe. "This kind of investment will generate about 180 direct
jobs and 300 indirect jobs over the next two years."
Federal and provincial environmental assessments and screening
have been completed and approved, and the majority of
right-of-way required has been acquired by the province.
The construction of Highway 104 from Salt Springs to Alma is part
of the Better Roads for Nova Scotia initiative.
Funding for this project is cost-shared by the federal and
provincial governments on a 50/50 basis under the Canada-Nova
Scotia Strategic Highway Improvement Program (SHIP) Agreement,
and the Highway Improvement Program (HIP) Agreement.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: For a backgrounder and map on this project call
1-800-670-4357 or 902-424-4492.
Contact: Chris Welner 902-424-8687
Alex Skoke 902-755-1199
trp Apr. 3, 1997 - 1 p.m.
