Plan Will Revamp Roads in Valley, Yarmouth

A drive through the scenic Annapolis Valley and Yarmouth will be even more pleasurable thanks to $33.4 million from the province's $265-million road improvement plan.

MLA Jim Morton, on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks, provided details of the area projects from the 2011-12 edition of the Five Year Road Improvement plan today, June 27, near the Morden Road Overpass, Kings Co.

"This region is a key contributor to the provincial economy from both a business and tourism perspective and it is essential that its roads are effectively maintained," said Mr. Morton.

"A strong road system keeps Nova Scotians connected, families safe and local economies growing."

Mr. Morton detailed road work specific to the Annapolis Valley Yarmouth regions. Some of the major projects include paving roads throughout the region, including:

• Repairs to Trunk 3 in Yarmouth, Trunk 1 in Digby, Trunk 8 and Trunk 10 in Annapolis, Black Rock Road and Ben Jackson Road in Kings
• Major construction projects such as the Highway 101 passing lanes, the Mary Jane Riley Interchange, and repaving sections of Highway 101
• Bridge replacement and repairs, including the Tusket River Bridge in Yarmouth, the Bushy McMahon Bridge in Kings, and the Middleton Bridge in Annapolis.

Mr. Morton stressed the importance of work on the $3 million passing lanes from Coldbrook to Kingston to those in attendance.

"This project in particular will provide tourists, truckers and commuters a safer ride and make life better for families throughout the region," said Mr. Morton.

This year's road-improvement budget is the third-largest in the province's history. Almost $900 million has been invested in Nova Scotia roads over the past three years, employing thousands and contributing millions of dollars to the provincial economy.

The 2011-12 highway improvement budget will focus on paving, bridge repairs and replacements, and highway twinning. Improving paved roads and stabilizing others will also be a priority, using techniques such as chip seal paving to create smoother, dust-free roads. There are four double-chip paving projects slated for Kings County this summer.

A complete list of this year's projects is included in the Five Year Highway Improvement Plan (2011-2102 edition), available at www.gov.ns.ca/tran. The plan also includes a review of the province's performance in the 2010-11 and 2009-10 roads programs as well as major projects planned 2015-16.

The five-year plan supports the goals of government's jobsHere economic development plan by creating jobs and improving the highway infrastructure relied on by Nova Scotia businesses and industries.