Study reveals Nova Scotia highways need a facelift

The results of a 10-year study on the state of Nova Scotia’s infrastructure have been released and the province is being warned to increase spending on its ailing highways.

The report – entitled Nova Scotia’s Primary and Secondary Highway Systems: 10-year Needs indicates the province’s highways, roads and bridges will need a $3.4 billion cash influx to be kept up to acceptable levels.

“We have a serious problem in Nova Scotia with our roads and bridges. This is a result of years of neglect,” said Ron Russell, minister of Transportation and Public Works. “We’re committed to addressing the problem but it’s going to take time and we’re going to have to set priorities.”

Some of the suggestions outlined by the report include repaving over 9,000 kilometres of secondary highways, constructing more than 600 kilometres of two- and four-lane highways and repairing many of the province’s bridges.

“This study will help us to set priorities so that the investments we make will have the greatest benefit for Nova Scotians,” says Russell.