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Route 11 will be twinned: source
Published Monday April 6th, 2009
Premier expected to announce twinning of 35-km (22-mile) stretch during speech today in Moncton
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By Charles Perry
Times & Transcript Staff

Premier Shawn Graham will unveil his government's commitment to a significant infrastructure project for the region during a noon-hour speech today in Moncton.

It is expected that the premier will talk about his government's plan for a highway network on the eastern shore of the province.

"This government believes in stimulating the economy," said a government source. "And modernizing the province's infrastructure is part of its plan."

According to the government source, part of the government's strategy calls for the twinning of more than 35 kilometres (22 miles) of Route 11 between Shediac and Bouctouche's Girouardville Road.

The plan will be outlined by the premier in a speech on the economy and infrastructure at the Moncton Rotary Club's weekly lunch meeting at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel today at noon. Department of Transportation statistics reveal that the section of highway to be twinned experiences daily traffic volumes between 6,600 vehicles near Bouctouche and more than 10,000 vehicles at the Shediac end of the road.

"Having the proper infrastructure system in place will improve safety on our highways and ensure our goods flow to export markets," said the source.

The proposed alignment for the twinning is scheduled to be presented by department officials to the public at an informal session by DoT representatives some time later in the spring.

According to the provincial source, this phase of the work includes four major river crossings and upgrading of a number of interchanges along the 35-kilometre (22-mile) stretch of highway.

The premier will elaborate further on the project in his address to the Moncton Rotary Club meeting, which is scheduled to get under way at 12:15 p.m.