[Dmajackson]

Heres the article about the funding;

A $50-million boost
Province, feds pony up for paving, bridges
By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Thu. Dec 18 - 5:35 AM

Paving projects and bridges will get the bulk of $50 million in federal and provincial funding announced Wednesday.

Much of the work has already been completed or is underway.

For example, paving and safety improvements on 100-series highways were done this summer and fall, upgrading Highway 4 from East Bay to Big Pond has started and is scheduled to be done next year, and three bridge projects are done, another is underway and set for completion next year, and another will be tendered in 2009.

Some of the money comes from the $25 million in infrastructure funding that Ottawa has allotted to each provinceannually until 2014.

The province matches that money, plus Halifax Regional Municipality is kicking in about $6 million for some projects in the municipality, including an interchange connecting Highway 102 to Larry Uteck Boulevard in Bedford and another new interchange on Highway 101 at Beaver Bank.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, on behalf of federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird, said investing in infrastructure helps the economy.

"Today’s infrastructure news is a testament to the Government of Canada’s commitment to help the province and Canada meet its pressing infrastructure needs and priorities," Mr. MacKay said at a Halifax news conference.The announcement came the day after Mr. Baird was in Halifax talking to provincial ministers and municipal leaders from Atlantic Canada about how to get more federal infrastructure cash flowing.

Many government leaders have said infrastructure spending would be an effective stimulus in the sagging economy.

Nova Scotia wants its connector roads to be eligible for federal funds.

South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy said Ottawa is not likely to approve a plan that would allow the province to spend national infrastructure money paving secondary roads.

"Our challenge . . . as the federal government is to roll out an infrastructure package that will be helpful to the province and (create) a long-term vision of Nova Scotia.

"The province’s challenge is to try to find the extra money that they need to cost-share this if we accelerate funding."

Mr. Baird was more like the Grinch than like Santa, said Halifax West Liberal MP Geoff Regan.

"The province, municipalities and other stakeholders were saying as late as yesterday that they need accelerated funding, that they need streamlined process and they’re looking for changes to allocation rules so they can deal with immediate infrastructure needs and have a positive impact on the economy.

"And what the government announced today were investments that only come into effect in 2011-2014, as I understand it. So it addresses nothing that Baird was told yesterday. It’s no way to respond to the crisis in the economy."

Provincial Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said no one should be under the illusion that Wednesday’s announcement is about stimulating the economy because the projects were already in the works or done.

"Those commitments were made previously by this government and everyone expected those to be met. What we were looking for from Ottawa was this additional money which we would hear announced for some new projects, new ways to stimulate the economy of the province."

Other provincial projects include a Highway 111 Mount Hope interchange and a new weigh-in scale in Enfield. Some of the funding will also cover upgrades to the Cheticamp water utility and helping expand broadband coverage in the province.

Isn't the Mount Hope Interchange done anyways?

Also one thing the government should really look at is the Burnside Expressway its badly needed. Defenitely more the the 101 interchange which will ultimately just dump more cars onto the Magazine Hill.