$13.5-Million Contract Awarded for Indian Sluice Bridge

Drivers to and from Surettes Island in Yarmouth County will soon enjoy more convenient travel with a new, two-lane Indian Sluice Bridge.

It will replace the one-lane bridge and mean less traffic delays during repairs as one lane can be left open.

The province continues to invest in communities and create good jobs. This $13,533,445 contract for the 189-metre bridge was awarded to Dexter Construction Co. Ltd. A sketch of the new Indian Sluice Bridge (also known as Surettes Island Bridge) is available online at http://gov.ns.ca/news/Photos/2012/nov/Indian-Sluice-Bridge.jpg.

"We realize how important this new bridge is to the community and we're pleased we've been able to move up the original schedule as part of our five–year highway improvement plan," said Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "It was originally planned to be tendered next year, but the work was moved ahead and residents can look forward to the new bridge opening in the summer of 2014."

"As chair of the Indian Sluice Bridge Replacement Committee and a resident of Surettes Island, I am ecstatic with this announcement," said Earl Muise. "The new two-lane bridge will be a milestone in our community's history and development."

Replacing the bridge is part of government's 5-Year Highway Improvement Plan and the jobsHere economic development plan. They create jobs and improve highway infrastructure for residents, visitors, businesses and industries. The plan is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.