Federal, provincial governments open newly twinned section of Highway 101

ST. CROIX, NS, Aug. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Motorists on one of Nova Scotia's most-travelled highways are benefiting from a new four-lane section of twinned road between St. Croix and Three Mile Plains on Highway 101. It opened on July 29, 2010.

Today, Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, along with Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kings North Jim Morton, on behalf of Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, marked the completion of the 7.4 kilometres of twinned highway.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in the twinning of this section of Highway 101. We are committed to working with the Government of Nova Scotia for real results," said MP Armstrong. "This highway expansion is further proof that our government is doing what it takes to put people to work, and create infrastructure that will make our country and our economy stronger."

"Improving our roads is a priority for government as part of our efforts to create good jobs and grow the economy," said Mr. Morton. "We are proud to open this new four-lane section of Highway 101. This new highway will result in safer and more efficient travel."

The cost to twin this section of Highway 101 was approximately $22 million, provided jointly by the federal and provincial governments. The project took five years to complete.

In 2008, twinning between Falmouth and Avonport on Highway 101 was completed. Future work on the highway includes work on the section between Three Mile Plains and Falmouth.

The paving between St. Croix and Three Mile Plains is part of a $310-million investment in highways this fiscal year, the second-largest highway improvement budget in Nova Scotia's history.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

For further information: Angela Johnson, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, 902-424-1750, E-mail: [email protected]; Lindsay Lewis, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, 902-424-3289, E-mail: [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055 or 613-991-0700