The provincial Liberals are promising some long awaited infrastructure upgrades if the party is given another mandate by voters next Tuesday.
Liberal Leader Iain Rankin says his party would commit to investing $2-million to replace the Port Royal Bridge and make necessary repairs to MacEachern Road, which travels east of the span to reach Highway 206 on the opposite side of Isle Madame.
“This is as much about safety as it is about ensuring our communities remain connected,” Rankin said Monday in statement on the campaign trail in the Richmond provincial riding where the bridge is located.
“Nova Scotia’s rural communities depend on properly maintained and safe roads and bridges to visit family and friends, travel to work and keep up those important connections. A Liberal government will make sure those connections are maintained,” Rankin added.
Rankin made the announcement while campaigning in the area this week with Liberal candidate, Matt Haley.
The topic came up repeatedly with constituents while out door-knocking, Haley said.
“It’s something I brought up right away with the premier because it was overwhelming,” he said. “In terms of local issues, residents were very worried and concerned about it.”
The bridge has long served as connector to the communities of Janvrin’s Island, Saint Mary’s and Port Royal to Highway 206, but access has been closed since 2017 due to safety concerns.
The closure has also lead to an over 1 km detour for locals in the area.
The promised upgrades to MacEachern Road would see guard rails installed and further work to protect against erosion.
