CHESTER, NS – Premier Iain Rankin, today, highlighted the Liberal’s commitment to twinning two more crucial sections of Nova Scotia’s highways and expanding the gravel roads program. 

A re-elected Liberal government will apply to the federal government for funding to twin the most dangerous sections of Highway 103 from Hubbards to Bridgewater and Highway 104 from Antigonish to Port Hawkesbury. 

These are the next twinning projects that will be prioritized by a Rankin government. 

Further twinning of these highways will improve interprovincial trade and, also, 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 per cent of the project cost. 

A Rankin government would also expand the Gravel Road Capital Program by 50 per cent to $30 million. The program was first announced in 2017. 

In addition, the Liberal government would double funding for repairing rural roads to $22 million through the Rural Impact Mitigation Fund. 

The expansion of these programs will ensure that Nova Scotians, in rural communities, have safe, reliable transportation. 

Premier Rankin announced the commitments, today, with Liberal candidates Jacob Killawee, Chester-St. Margaret’s, Jennifer Naugler, Lunenburg West and Suzanne Lohnes Croft, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the Liberal candidate in Lunenburg. 

“Our highways and roads provide Nova Scotians with so many connections – to businesses, between communities, with friends and family,” said Premier Rankin. “These commitments are about ensuring Nova Scotians, especially those living in the rural parts of the province, can travel efficiently and safely on well-maintained and accessible roads.” 

The twinning 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 responsible for approximately 13,300 direct and 6,600 indirect jobs. 

Mr. Killawee said that this will help Nova Scotian businesses grow and expand into regional markets. 

“By making these investments, we’re ensuring that Nova Scotian businesses can improve their ability to sell their products across the province and the East Coast,” said Mr. Killawee. “We are ensuring our drivers are safe and our rural roads are well-maintained and accessible.” 

This new investment will: 

• Improve and maintain our gravel roads. 
• 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, and by making our gravel roads accessible.