Section of Road Along Lawrencetown Beach to be Realigned

A 500-metre section of the road along Lawrencetown Beach on the Eastern Shore will be realigned to help ensure it remains open during and after storms.

The section of Route 207 has been damaged significantly in the past by pounding surf and storm surge from the Atlantic Ocean. The project includes building new road further away from the coast, removing the existing section and naturalizing the area.

“We know the frequency of storms is increasing and we need to make sure this highway remains safe for the community,” said Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MLA for Eastern Shore, on behalf of Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This investment will improve a section of highway that is often breached by pounding waves and surf during storms so that it can remain open to traffic, including emergency vehicles, while minimizing any economic impact.”

The section to be realigned is between the MacDonald House and the west entrance to Lawrencetown Beach Provincial Park. The new road, which will have less slope than the existing section, is expected to reduce the need for costly repairs.

The Province is investing $1,020,668 in the project, matched by the federal government. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025.

Quotes:

“These improvements to Route 207 in Lawrencetown will ensure the road can remain open during frequent storm events caused by climate change. This rebuilt section of road will also ensure that access to Lawrencetown Beach, a major recreation attraction, will remain accessible for all to enjoy.”

– Darrell Samson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and MP for Sackville–Preston–Chezzetcook, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“We are very excited to see this project move forward. Our hope is that it will be a long-term solution to increase safety and protect a vital artery to the community, while at the same time creating the potential for more parking capacity and recreational space at the iconic landmark that is Lawrencetown Beach headland. With its importance to local tourism, as evidenced by extensive promotion of Lawrencetown Beach by Tourism Nova Scotia, and the dramatic increase in visitation, expanding parking capacity is critical, especially given that infrastructure improvements at the park are actually reducing parking availability.”

– Victor Ruzgys, Coastal Access Committee, Surfing Association of Nova Scotia

Additional Resources:

Department of Public Works on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/NS_PublicWorks