Burnside Expressway In Question

 

ANDREW YOUNGER
Dartmouth - Cole Harbour Weekly News

 

November 25, 2010

 

Last week we learned Premier Dexter and the NDP have walked away from the promised 2011 completion of the Burnside Expressway. This despite the fact that at the time of writing this column the government website still shows 2011 as the completion date. Now the Minister of Transportation won’t even confirm the project is even going to proceed.

 

The Burnside Expressway (also called the Burnside Connector or Highway 107 extension) would connect Burnside Drive and Highway 102, relieving traffic and improving safety on Magazine Hill. It would open up industrial lands and contribute to the future success of Burnside Business Park and the province. During public consultations no one questioned the need for the project. The most common question was “How soon can it be completed?”

 

I asked about this project during Question Period.  Like so many others I was shocked to learn the NDP doesn’t even have a start date in mind.

 

This project has long been considered a critically needed piece of infrastructure. In April 2009 the federal and provincial governments announced they would each fund half of the $35 million cost of the project as part of the Atlantic Gateway. Now with an indefinite delay – or possible cancellation – that funding could dry up and go to other provinces.

 

I am very concerned about the fact it appears the NDP are breaking yet another promise. More important, I am concerned about a delay in this project. A project which is needed to ensure the future viability of Burnside. Like all taxpayers, I am also deeply concerned that a delay could mean Nova Scotia could lose out on $17.5 million in federal funding.

For more on this please visit my blog at www.blog.andrewyounger.ca

 

Please take the time to visit my website at www.andrewyounger.ca or call me with questions and thoughts at 406-4420.