NEW GLASGOW, N.S. – Pictou East MLA and PC Party Leader Tim Houston expressed concerns about the lack of an exit between Sutherland’s River and Barney’s River on Highway 104 in the legislature.
“Highway No. 104 will be twinned, and that’s great news; it’s going to save lives,” Houston said. “But the new highway won't have an exit between Sutherlands River and Barneys River. That’s 21.5 kilometres, that is 72 per cent longer than the average distance between all highway exits. Right now, we have an Exit 27 and an Exit 29 but no Exit 28.”
He asked Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lloyd Hines if he was aware of the community’s request that the new twinned highway include an Exit 28 between Barney’s River and Sutherland’s River.
Hines said his department is aware of the request and is taking it into consideration.
“The position of the community is, if you’re going to do it, do it right,” Houston said. “This is the time to put an exit there. Having an exit ramp there would connect the old Trunk 4 highway, and it’s a matter of public safety. First responders need better access to the communities along Highway No. 104, because we all know lives depend on first responders’ ability to access communities in a quick manner. It will also make winter maintenance much easier, and of course, it will make communities like Broadway and Moose River much more attractive to live in and to visit.”
