u THE RECORD
The condition of our roads is vital to our economy, to our tourism sector and to the safety of all Nova Scotians. In 1999, the condition of our roads was deplorable. We have paved over 3700 km of roads over the last decade at a cost of $800 million. A PC Government will continue to pave our roads and build and repair our infrastructure.
• Committed to twin or modernize roads from one end of Nova Scotia to the other.
Announced $1.9-billion action plan to rev up the economy of the province and keep Nova Scotia in business - creating or maintaining up to 20,000 jobs over the next three years - one of the largest infrastructure programs in Nova Scotia's history.
Funding is being directed to five priorities:
1. Energy conservation - Part of the planning for all new buildings. Through $50 million, will make existing government buildings, schools and hospitals more energy efficient.
2. Roads, bridges, and highways - Investing a billion dollars in a modern highway system to support our Atlantic Gateway growth.
3. Schools and Information Technology - $480 million will be directed to building and improving schools, more work at our modern Nova Scotia Community Colleges. Also making information technology investments in areas such as health to help enable us to deliver tests and treatment more quickly.
4. Healthy, safe communities - An estimated $380 million will go towards
renovating hospitals, building more affordable housing, building courts and jails.
5. Tourism, culture, and heritage - Preserving and enhancing our museums, parks, resorts and waterfront development through approximately $40 million.
“This is a large increase in spending over the next three years that will lead to significant shorter-term job creation and capital investment within our industry. The long-term result of this investment will be tangible assets that benefit Nova Scotians for many years to come.”
~ Grant Feltmate, Nova Scotia Road Builders’ Association ~ March 23, 2009
Completing, this year, our 2006 commitment to pave 2,000 km of roads in Nova Scotia over four years.
Communities across Nova Scotia will benefit from a $136-million joint investment in key infrastructure projects, thanks to a partnership between the governments of Nova Scotia and Canada. Announced funding for shovel-ready infrastructure projects under existing infrastructure programs and new money allocated in Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Increased the entire capital budget for highway and road construction 60 per cent over last year--creating or maintaining about 11,000 jobs.
Made a commitment to twin and modernize highways from Yarmouth to Sydney by 2020.
- Made progress on twinning Highway 103 and committed to doing more. About
$60 million was spent to twin up to Exit 5 to deal with the highest traffic volumes.
Moving forward with Phase I of a plan to build a controlled access highway from Broad River to Sable River - improving safety along this stretch of highway, while supporting the local economy.
- Built a new and improved four-lane section of twinned Highway 101 between Falmouth and Avonport - marking the completion of the 11.8 km of twinned highway. Also started on an $8 million twinning project between St. Croix and Ellershouse.
- Have made considerable progress on Highway 104. A tender was called in Spring 2009 to clear the right-of-way for the construction of four new lanes of Highway 104 west of Exit 31A, near Antigonish.
Paving important tourism routes such as sections of the Cabot Trail and Route 333 to Peggy's Cove to allow cyclists and motorists to safely share the road.
Ensuring that municipalities are able to take advantage of stimulus funding, and will provide $28 million over two years so they can match federal funds for capital grants. As a result, the three levels of government will provide new capital grants of $84 million for much needed infrastructure projects and jobs.
Boosted the growth of Atlantic Gateway projects. With funding from the Federal government, the province and Gateway partners, six projects worth $172 million will support the longer-term objectives of the Atlantic Gateway - an efficient, integrated and competitive transportation system with direct and reliable access to and from North America's economic heartland. Projects include:
- Burnside Connector;
- The Port of Halifax - Richmond Terminals Multi-purpose Gateway Extension;
- Port of Halifax-Ocean Terminals Extension of Pier C and land expansion;
- Truro High Speed Interchange;
- Off-site Highway Upgrades - Melford Container Terminal; and - Business development and marketing.
Dalhousie University is launching a unique two-year Gateway initiative through its new Centre for International Trade and Transportation.
Announced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program - a cost-shared initiative with the federal government to renew college and university campuses. The projects will create and maintain jobs and contribute to the high quality of Nova Scotia’s post-secondary education system. Projects include renovation, information technology, energy efficiency and environmental initiatives and are set to begin as soon as possible and be completed by March 31, 2011. The province, under its Building for Growth stimulus plan, and universities will invest $57.2 million.
The federal government will contribute $56.75 million.
Along with the governments of New Brunswick and Canada, further funded the Digby-Saint John ferry service to ensure its continued operation until 2011.
Exploring new possibilities through strategic partnerships to look at new ways to build roads and other projects to address the province's multi-billion dollar
infrastructure deficit. Currently working to develop new highway, corrections and mobile radio through strategic infrastructure partnerships.
• Set an ambitious goal to ensure all Nova Scotians had Broadband access. The
$75-million Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative promises high-speed access across the province.
Toughening the consequences for people caught driving with a blood alcohol level of .05. Currently, people who register between .05 to .08 on a roadside alcohol screening test receive a 24-hour licence suspension. The amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act increases the suspension time.
Consulting with the trucking industry on improvements to the way the industry is governed to better regulate a vital part of our economy.
• Helped municipalities provide public transit in unserved and underserved rural areas through an incentive program.
u WHAT’S NEXT?
• Under Building for Growth, in partnership with the federal government, a PC Government will invest $1.9 billion in provincially-owned infrastructure projects over the next three years. This investment will keep about 20,000 Nova Scotians working.
• Exceed annual targets of our party's 2006 commitment to pave at least 2,000 km of roads across Nova Scotia over four years. We will exceed the annual target this year by 75 km.
• Continue to work towards commitment to twin highways from Yarmouth to Sydney by 2020.
Move forward on Gateway initiatives announced in Spring 2009 to secure Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada's natural position as the Atlantic Gateway to the World.
Costing_________________________________
There are an additional nine commitments over and above our 2009-10 Budget and our
$1.9 billion Building For Growth Plan. These are fully costed below.
Cost
New Commitments Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
1. RESP Tax Credit (Infant) $87,500 $370,000 $370,000 $370,000
2. HRM Amalgamation Review $100,000 - -
-3. Apprenticeship Payroll Rebate - $4.3 million $4.3 million $4.3 million
4. Buy Local Increase $100,000 $100,000 $150,000
-5. Lobster Marketing Program $250,000 - -
(Community Development Trust)
6. Planning New Marconi Campus - - -
(Absorbed Internally)
7. Youth Curfew - - -
-8. Parental Liability - - -
-9. Red Tape Cap - - -