A new $48-million interchange on Highway 103 will spur future growth and investment in Bridgewater, according to the town’s mayor.
David Mitchell joined Premier Stephen McNeil, MP Bernadette Jordan, MLA Mark Furey and Transportation Minister Lloyd Hines for Wednesday’s announcement at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre.
The federal and provincial government will each contribute $20.4-million while the municipal contribution is $8-million.
Premier Stephen McNeil commenting on new highway interchange for Bridgewater #nspoli pic.twitter.com/6HcA5Io9tX
— Nick Yorston (@NickYorston) September 4, 2019
Mitchell says the announcement is a big deal for the area.
“It is good for the town and the region and it’s incredibly exciting. It is the largest funding announcement we’ve received in Bridgewater’s history and it unlocks the potential of our business park. Basically, it future-proofs it for generations to come.”
The interchange will be located between Exits 12 and 13 and will include ramps, roundabouts, bridge and connector roads.
The interchange and how it will look pic.twitter.com/1Piak8V6av
— Nick Yorston (@NickYorston) September 4, 2019
The road through the business park will also be realigned and upgrades will be made to five existing intersections.
Preliminary design work will begin this fall, with construction on the new interchange expected in 2021 and the official opening in 2022.
Construction is expected to create 480 jobs and open up access to 125 acres of land that can be developed north of Highway 103.
Mitchell says the project will make things more cost-effective and efficient for businesses in the park.
“Right now, we’ve got trucks that do go through residential areas, they add two to three kilometres to their journey each way. Some of these businesses have hundreds of trucks going a day. Anything we can do to shorten that; it reduces the risk, increases their efficiency, reduces their cost and reduces their greenhouse gas emissions, everything.”
Meanwhile, Michelin is the largest employer in the park with roughly 1,200 employees.
Premier Stephen McNeil was mum when asked if the company was expanding.
“Michelin is a tremendous employer across our province. They have been tremendously supportive of the province and the direction we’re going for decades and they are hiring a lot of Nova Scotians. We’re obviously hopeful that they’ll continue to see growth and opportunity here.”