ANTIGONISH, NS — A re-elected Liberal government will apply to the federal government for funding to twin two more crucial sections of Nova Scotia’s highways.

Highway 104 to Port Hawkesbury and the most dangerous sections of Highway 103 to Bridgewater are the next twinning projects that will be prioritized by a Rankin government.

These will improve interprovincial trade, create jobs, and keep Nova Scotians safer.

The total cost of the two projects for the province is estimated to be $237 million.

The province will submit applications to the National Trade Corridors Fund, which provides funding of up to 50 percent of the project cost.

Nova Scotia Liberal leader Iain Rankin announced the commitment, today, with Liberal candidates Joe MacDonald (Pictou East), Randy Delorey (Antigonish), and Lloyd Hines, (Guysborough-Tracadie).

“Our highways connect us to businesses, friends, and loved ones,” said Liberal leader Rankin. “This investment is about increasing interprovincial trade while ensuring these roads remain safe for Nova Scotians in the years to come.”

This announcement builds on the $800 million the provincial and federal governments invested in Nova Scotia’s 100-series highways starting in 2018, a commitment made in the 2017 election.

Sections of Highways 101, 103, 104, and 107 were part of this investment through the New Build Canada Fund and the National Trade Corridors Fund, and are responsible for approximately 13,300 direct and 6,600 indirect jobs.

Liberal candidate for Antigonish, Randy Delorey, said that this will help Nova Scotian businesses grow and expand into regional markets.

“By making this investment, we’re ensuring that Nova Scotian businesses can improve their ability to sell their products across the province and the East Coast,” said Mr. Delorey. “This is an important step toward improved safety on these crucial trade corridors to Cape Breton and Newfoundland and Labrador and the South Shore.”

This new investment will:

• Improve and increase interprovincial trade for Nova Scotian businesses.
• Create local construction jobs to help keep our province connected.
• Keep Nova Scotians safe by twinning lanes at two busy sections of our transportation corridors.

Liberal candidate for Pictou East, Joe MacDonald, is a local Fire Chief and a tireless advocate who knows first-hand the impact that this project will have on his local community.

“I wish my mind would forget what my eyes have seen as a first responder (on Highway 104),” said Mr. MacDonald. “This project will change Northern Nova Scotia for the better. It will save lives.”