Projects Selected for Strategic Infrastructure Partnerships

The province will develop detailed business cases for three projects following a review of a report from Partnerships BC.

In March, ten projects were submitted to Partnerships BC for review to determine if they could be done at good value for taxpayers through strategic infrastructure partnerships with the private sector.

The next phase consists of preparing procurement plans and a detailed analysis for new correctional facilities in Antigonish and Cumberland counties, twinning of Highway 104 from Sutherlands River to the Canso Causeway and the trunk mobile radio system used by police, fire and other first responders.

"We've considered the advice from Partnerships BC and believe these projects are good candidates for strategic infrastructure partnerships," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.

"Through the next phase we'll develop detailed procurement plans, and improve Nova Scotia's own expertise in this work. This next phase will help us move forward with implementation of these important projects."

Partnerships BC looked at a range of criteria including market interest, ability to achieve service and program objectives over the life of the project, as well as design, construction and operations. The analysis included advice from people actively involved in strategic partnerships, including investors, contractors and advisors.

The province will use the expertise of Partnerships BC to develop detailed business cases, for a cost of up to $200,000 per project. The initial Partnerships BC report cost about $150,000 and can be viewed online at http://gov.ns.ca/tran/sip/intro.asp .