Road Repairs Progress

Steady progress is being made to repair roads and bridges damaged by unusually heavy rainfall over the Labour Day weekend. Damage was most widely experienced around Pictou and Inverness counties.

"Crews continue to work hard to complete repairs and have made significant progress in meeting the challenges presented by the extremely heavy rains," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott. "Many repairs are complete and we expect that the vast majority to be finished by the end of September."

In Pictou County, significant areas damaged by the storm include Route 347 which has been repaired to allow one lane to open. The other lane is expected to open in the next few days. Other damage includes road washouts and culvert damage on the Six Mile Brook Road, James Murray Road, Trunk 4 and Piedmont Valley Road. Repairs are underway and are expected to be complete by the end of September.

Several sections of Trunk 19 in Inverness County had road washouts. More than twenty other roads had damage to culverts. Roads are open while repairs continue. Fourteen bridges also had some storm damage. Twelve are open, however the Jack Gillis Bridge and the Broad Cove Marsh Bridge remain closed, with detours available. Repairs are expected to be complete by the end of the month.

More than 20 roads in the Judique area had major or minor damage, mainly to culvert and shoulders. Some repairs have been complete, with all work expected to be complete by the end of September.

There was a major culvert collapse on the Upper South West Mabou Road. Repairs are underway and are expected to be complete within the next few weeks. Roads are open while repairs continue. The Shore Road Bridge is closed, with a short detour available. Repairs are expected to be complete by mid-September.

Four roads in the Port Hawkesbury area had washouts and all work is either complete or expected to be finished by mid-September. The Upper Lameys Bridge had washouts but is open while repairs are underway.

"I commend our highway workers for their quick and committed response to getting the roads repaired," said Mr. Scott. "We ask that people on the road continue to use caution in these areas while we work on repairs, particularly with the potential for more severe weather from Tropical Storm Hanna."

The total cost of repairs is still being assessed but will be more than $1.5 million.