Work to Begin on Larry Uteck Interchange

Work has begun on a $21.6-million project to improve access on one of Nova Scotia's busiest roads.

The contract to build an interchange on Highway 102 to connect with Larry Uteck Boulevard between Bedford and Halifax was awarded to Dexter Construction Co. Ltd.

"When completed, this interchange will lessen the traffic overload on the Bedford Highway and, at the same time, open up some previously inaccessible land for development," said Frank Corbett, acting Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "The significant benefits of this construction wouldn't have been possible without the co-operation of all three levels of government."

Scheduled to take a year to complete, the project involves building of an overpass and ramps with roundabouts. During the first few months of construction Highway 102 traffic may be stopped for a maximum of 20 minutes once a day during off-peak driving times to allow blasting.

An aerial view of the construction area and other details are available at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highways/LarryUteckBlvd.asp .

The department's highways division manages more than 23,000 kilometres of roads in Nova Scotia. It maintains 4,100 bridges and operates seven provincial ferries. Staff provide services from district offices in Bridgewater, Bedford, Truro and Sydney.