Four Lanes Open on Highway 103

Transportation and Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson today officially opened Phase 1 of a $22-million project to twin Highway 103 from Beechville to Upper Tantallon.

"This is just a sample for motorists of how this stretch of highway is being improved," Mr. Huskilson said. "A project like this is an investment in Nova Scotia. It means a safer road, better access for business and more choices for where Nova Scotians want to live and work."

Phase 1 is five kilometres long and cost approximately $4.2 million. A new interchange at Exit 3 complements the twinning, allowing access to the new Halifax Regional Municipality Waste Management Facility and future access to the Timberlea subdivision. The interchange was built in partnership with the federal government and the municipality through the Canada/Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Agreement.

"I have been pushing for this twinning for many years and I have to congratulate the province for making it a reality," said Mayor Walter Fitzgerald of Halifax Regional Municipality. "These improvements will hopefully relieve some traffic congestion on the St. Margarets Bay Road and provide a safer and more reliable highway for the travelling public."

Senator Al Graham, Leader of the Government in the Senate, on behalf of Fred Mifflin, Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, passed along his congratulations on the completion of the project. "The federal government was pleased to be able to contribute $850,000 toward the interchange project, through the Infrastructure Works Agreement."

Mr. Huskilson said that under the next phase of the project, the new lanes will be routed on the ocean side of the existing highway, several hundred metres away from Greenwood Heights subdivision.

Phase 2 will carry through to the existing interchange at Sheldrake Lake. The final phase of the 18-kilometre twinning will reach to Exit 5 at Upper Tantallon.

ngr Nov. 3, 19998 11:08 a.m.