Highway Rest Area To Open in Cumberland County

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Highway Rest Area To Open in Cumberland County

Nova Scotia is adding another highway rest area -- a move that is expected to improve safety for the travelling public.

The province's second rest area is planned for Exit 7 on Highway 104 near Thomson Station, Cumberland Co. The first opened in Pictou County earlier this year.

Michael Baker, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, said safety experts and industry leaders welcomed the news.

"Our goal is to provide safe and efficient highways for the travelling public," said Mr. Baker. "We are improving safety with the introduction of highway rest areas."

"Drivers need a safe and convenient place to pull off the highway at times when they should not be driving, such as when suffering from illness or fatigue, or when using their cellular phone," said Jackie Toffoli, executive director of the Nova Scotia Safety Council. "The safety council feels that highway safety is improved by the availability of highway rest stops."

Ralph Boyd, president of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, said truckers wanted a rest area near Thomson Station.

"Truckers wanted a rest area near Thomson Station to replace the closed Lady Wentworth which was a favourite stop for the industry over the last number of years when the old Folly Lake routing was available," said Mr. Boyd. "Weather conditions from time to time in the Cobequid Pass do require well placed rest facilities at either end of the toll highway and this new rest stop will be well utilized by the trucking industry and the public travelling the corridor between Moncton and Halifax."

Judith Cabrita, managing director of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, said tourists identify with the rest area concept.

"A quality development with a strong tourism focus will ensure we continue to meet the needs of the travelling public," said Ms. Cabrita. "Setting quality standards in both the facility and service throughout the rest area will be crucial in the development of this site. These centres play a role as decision points to guide people into the communities for a truly Nova Scotia experience."

Under the rest area concept, the province provides $200,000 and highway signage to each rest-area operator in exchange for certain requirements such as 24-hour washrooms, telephones, a set number of truck parking spaces and other services.

Without the involvement of a private rest area operator, the cost to the province of a stand-alone rest area would be more than $1 million to construct, plus ongoing operating costs.

The two sites are part of a pilot project. Mr. Baker said the province will review the sites to determine their effectiveness.