FRENCH RIVER: Joe MacDonald has a lot less to worry about now.
As Fire Chief of Barneys River Fire Department, MacDonald has advocated tirelessly for his vision of a safer highway to become a reality – a reality that became official on July 21.
“This is a great day. I hope the opening will bring some solace to those who have lost loved ones on this stretch of highway,” MacDonald said as he addressed the nearly 200 delegates attending the road-side ceremony. “A little over nine-and-a-half-years ago, I started pushing for twinning this deadly highway. On Feb. 5, 2014 a young Cape Breton man died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, close to where we are today.”
After a little more than three years, millions of cubic metres of earth moved and thousands of tonnes of asphalt laid down, the Highway 104 twinning project is nearing completion; providing motorists safer driving conditions while travelling through Antigonish and Pictou Counties.
“A four-lane, divided Trans-Canada Highway between Antigonish and Sutherlands River is something that many thought couldn’t be done due to the terrain, elevation and overall landscape,” Town of Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher said. “Its completion is one of the most significant infrastructure projects of our lifetime.”
Mayor Boucher indicated there have been far too many tragedies on the single-lane highway in the area and this new section of divided highway creates a safer transportation corridor for residents of Antigonish, visitors to the area and those who are simply passing through.
“It will have a considerable impact on the lives of commuters,” she said. “And better link Antigonish to other parts of our province.”
The final 12.5 kilometres between Barneys River and French River opened to traffic, days after the official event, linking four lanes of divided highway from Antigonish to the New Brunswick border.
“If you’ve driven this highway before, and you drive it next week, you’ll immediately understand how this project is going to improve people’s lives. Everyone using the highway will be safer,” Premier Tim Houston said. “Too many people lost their lives here. I am proud that our daughters and sons going to and from StFX, the truck drivers hauling the goods we need, people visiting friends and family and so many others are safer today.”
In an interview with The Reporter following the ceremony, Premier Houston said it really is a monumental day for the local community and those travelling back-and-forth.
“This is a big day, the highway will be much safer, it will be much more efficient, and will take a lot of pressure off of our first responders – that have seen too much on this highway,” Houston said. “Chief Joe MacDonald has been a leading voice on this, his advocacy no this project has been instrumental in making this happen, I’m happy for him.”
While it was a celebration on the official opening of the stretch of highway, it was noted that it will still be several weeks until the project reaches final completion, and drivers should expect occasional minor delays between Barneys River and French River, as lanes may need to be closed for short periods of time.
“We are proud to work on a project of this magnitude that has provided employment to so many here in Nova Scotia. This highway was built for Nova Scotians by Nova Scotians,” Chair of Dexter Nova Alliance GP Ken MacLean said. “Today’s milestone was achieved thanks to our local workforce and many companies and suppliers. Together, they worked tirelessly for three years to bring this project to completion on time and on budget.”
The construction cost of the project is $364.3 million, including $274.3 million from the province and up to $90 million from the Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridor Fund.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Project covers about 38 kilometres of highway and includes the construction of two new interchanges, 24 new bridges and environmental enhancements such as wildlife corridors and fencing.
- Dexter Nova Alliance will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the newly twinned highway, plus another 25 kilometres of previously existing highway.
- Workers have moved more than 5.6 million cubic metres of earth and put down more than 320,000 tonnes of asphalt.
- The project has created nearly two million person-hours of work, which is roughly the same as hiring 300 people full-time for 40 months.
- Construction on the project started on May 6, 2020.