News release

Officials Meet to Discuss Cobequid Pass Storm

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)
Emergency Management Office

The ministers of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal and the Emergency Management Office met today, Nov. 24, with officials from various organizations to discuss a recent storm that stranded a large number of vehicles on the Cobequid Pass for several hours.

The meeting included representatives from the RCMP, Emergency Health Services, volunteer fire departments and municipal police.

"This was a productive meeting that looked at how we can prevent cars and people from being stranded in such situations, and if we can't, how do we take care of the people there," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott. "These road closure methods and emergency services exist, but we need to address communication and co-ordination issues so they can be called into action when needed."

"The safety of our citizens is paramount," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister of Emergency Management. "We are committed to working together to ensure effective response to any and all emergency events."

At the meeting, it was decided to develop a protocol that can be used for emergency closures on the Cobequid Pass, and anywhere these kinds of services may be needed across the province.

Immediate actions include:

  • While permanent signs are on order, temporary signs will be placed at each end of the Cobequid Pass, which will warn of adverse road conditions.
  • CB radios are being placed in snow plows to allow better communication with truckers using the Cobequid Pass
  • emergency kits will be stored in strategic locations in the area.

A consultant with road-safety issue experience is being hired to conduct a safety review of the Cobequid Pass. The report is expected in mid-December.

"We are going to look at whether we need to have different winter maintenance season start dates for areas like the Cobequid Pass that may experience winter conditions earlier than other areas of the province," said Mr. Scott. "The co-ordinator put in place to oversee the response to last Friday night's storm will be made permanent and expanded to other parts of the province."

"We have apologized to those who were on the pass that night, and want to do all we can to avoid a repeat of that experience."