Nova Scotia to spend $300M to improve roads and bridges in 2019-20

HALIFAX—Nova Scotia’s roads, highways and bridges will get $300 million in upgrades in 2019-20 — a $15 million increase over last year.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Lloyd Hines says much of the additional funding will go toward twinning portions of the province’s 100 series highways, including the 101, 103, 104 and the 107 Sackville-Burnside connector.

The province’s highway plan also calls for new projects, including construction on the Lantz interchange in Hants County and road improvements on the Cabot Trail at Cape Smokey.

The plan also renews $20 million in spending for rebuilding and upgrading gravel roads.

There are 23,000 kilometres of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges in Nova Scotia.

The highway improvement plan is subject to the approval of the 2019-20 budget next spring.

Earlier this month, the department requested environmental approval to twin a 38-kilometre stretch of Highway 104 between Sutherlands River in Pictou County and Addington Forks in Antigonish County.

The notorious section of the Trans Canada has seen over 400 crashes and more than a dozen fatalities since 2009.

Public feedback is being sought on the project until Jan. 15 with a decision expected by Feb. 4.