No. H091/12
For release - August 31, 2012
ANTIGONISH, N.S. — Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, along with the Honourable Maurice Smith, Nova Scotia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, marked the start of work on phase 2 of the Highway 104 project. When construction is completed, drivers will benefit from a new four-lane highway around the Town of Antigonish.
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs and economic growth, and lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future in Canada," said Minister MacKay. "Highway 104 is a vital link in the Trans-Canada Highway system, and an important route for the people of our province. This multi-million-dollar investment in the highway will improve safety, ease congestion and cut travel time for drivers in Nova Scotia."
"This valuable addition to Nova Scotia's 100-series highway system will reduce traffic congestion and make travel safer in the Antigonish area," said Minister Smith. "By working together with the federal government, the Province has been able to create good jobs and grow the economy."
Phase 2 of the project involves constructing eight kilometres of four-lane divided highway (two lanes in each direction) between Beech Hill Road and Taylor Road. Investments for this phase are estimated at $88.4 million. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $30 million and the Province of Nova Scotia is providing the remaining funding. Phase 2 is planned to be completed by fall 2015.
Phase 1 started in 2009 and is ongoing. It includes the construction of eight kilometres of four-lane divided highway from west of Addington Forks Road to just east of Beech Hill Road. The total cost of phase 1 is estimated at $74.9 million. This stretch of highway will open in September 2012.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012 focuses on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Strengthening infrastructure across the country is an important part of this plan. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership, and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery, with nearly 750,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. Find out more about the opportunities in Economic Action Plan 2012 at www.budget.gc.ca/2012/home-accueil-eng.html.
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Contacts:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Sue McKeague
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
902-424-8978
Email: mckeagsm@gov.ns.ca
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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