Planning work for Hwy 104 twinning underway

Aim is to begin construction within two years

Planning work for twinning the section of Highway 104 between Sutherlands River and Antigonish is underway. Brian Taylor, media relations adviser with Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, said route location, identification of access requirements, and environmental studies are now being done. “The department is currently aiming to begin construction within the next two years. As the planning process progresses, we will have a better idea of construction timelines,” he said. Last week, the federal government announced funding for two twinning projects on Highway 103 between Upper Tantallon and Ingramport, and from Ingramport to Hubbards. Work there is expected to start in 2018 and be finished by 2023. The provincial government is contributing up to $74.3 million, while the Government of Canada will provide up to $65.6 million for both projects, which are being funded through the New Building Canada Fund. The Highway 103 and 104 projects were announced by the provincial government in April. The government committed to investing $390 million in capital funding over seven years to improve highways without using tolls, after province-wide consultations. Two other projects – Highway 101 twinning from Three Mile Plains to Falmouth and the construction of a four-lane, divided Burnside Connector (Highway 107) were part of the announcement. At the time, the province noted that its contribution would be used to access federal funding through shared infrastructure projects. “The sections announced for twinning were at various stages of development, and are all moving forward. The 103 section was furthest along in the process,” said Taylor. He said the province is currently working with the federal government to confirm its contribution to the Highway 104 project. “These discussions are ongoing while the planning work is underway.” It’s estimated that it will cost $285 million to build the 37.8 km section from Sutherlands River to Antigonish. A large number of collisions have occurred on that piece of the Trans-Canada Highway, including 15 fatal accidents since 2009. While accidents still take place on twinned highways, studies show that the severity is reduced and head-on collisions are almost entirely eliminated.