FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS OPEN NEWLY TWINNED SECTION OF HIGHWAY 104

NEW GLASGOW, NS, Sept. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Motorists in Nova Scotia are benefiting from a newly twinned section of Highway 104 between New Glasgow and Pine Tree Road. The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, and Jim Boudreau, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Guysborough-Sheet Harbour, on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks, marked the completion of the 7.5-kilometre section of highway today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new section opened to traffic on September 2, 2010.

"This project is another example of how the Government of Canada, in partnership with the provinces, is taking action to deliver world-class infrastructure for Canadians," said Minister MacKay. "This newly twinned highway will improve the efficiency of the highway system in Nova Scotia and the National Highway System as a whole."

"This project is an important part of the province's ongoing efforts to upgrade Highway 104 in the New Glasgow and Antigonish areas," said Mr. Boudreau. "By working in partnership with the federal government we're helping our economy, providing good jobs and making our roads safer."

The total cost of twinning Highway 104 between New Glasgow and Old Pine Tree Road is $22 million, with the Government of Canada contributing $5.85 million under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and the province funding the remainder of the costs. This paving is part of a $310-million investment in highways this fiscal year, the second-largest highway improvement budget in Nova Scotia's history.

Highway 104 combines with Highway 102 as the primary provincial highway link between Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is also the primary interprovincial highway link with New Brunswick and with Newfoundland and Labrador through the Marine Atlantic ferry services out of Sydney.

The provincial and federal governments are also cooperating on further twinning of Highway 104 to Sutherlands River and in the Antigonish area. This improvement will bring many economic benefits to the residents of Nova Scotia.

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For further information: John Babcock, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055; Cathy MacIsaac, Communications Director, Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, 902-424-8978