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Province Modernizes Road
Maintenance Program
The Province will be able to keep roads smoother and safer with the addition of dozens of pieces of specialized equipment to its maintenance fleet.
The new equipment – more than 80 pieces in total – includes a new way of handling asphalt that will result in better, longer-lasting pothole repairs. New front-end loaders will have brush cutters that can do a better job reaching under guardrails and across shoulders.
“We never stop trying to make our roads safer, and it’s time to modernize our maintenance program with new technology that can deliver better roads for Nova Scotians,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “This investment builds on the significant progress we’ve made on improving the condition of our transportation system to help businesses move their goods and ensure people get where they need to go.”
Other new equipment includes skid steers with asphalt planers, sweepers and compactor attachments for patching roads.
The new way of handling asphalt is with hot boxes, which are insulated boxes that will allow crews to mix and transport the heated product to a job site for patching repairs. Previously, asphalt was loaded on a truck and would cool slightly on the way to the site. Keeping the temperature higher longer will make the asphalt repairs more effective.
Each area of the province will have a dedicated crew assigned using the pothole and cutting equipment. Summer students will also participate in trash collection along highways.
A full list of the new equipment is available at: https://novascotia.ca/tran/publications/maintenance-improvement-plan-equipment-list.pdf
Quick Facts:
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the total cost of the new equipment is $8 million
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the government has committed $161 million for asphalt and resurfacing of highways and roads this year, including $26 million for summer maintenance
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funding for staff to operate the equipment is included under the Rural Impact Mitigation program
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since 2022, the government has invested roughly $2.5 billion in the Province’s five-year highway plans
Additional Resources:
Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan: https://novascotia.ca/tran/highways/hwyconstruction.asp
Department of Public Works on X: https://x.com/NS_PublicWorks
Let's Talk About Potholes
Tis the season for pot holes. Unfortunately we live in an area where pot holes become more serious after winter. Our province is notorious for hot and cold weather, especially in the winter, and once spring comes around we notice huge craters in the roads. When the plows go by after a snowfall, they tear up the roads from previously filled potholes, but this in turn creates larger potholes and can be very dangerous to drivers.
What can we do as citizens?
Call the department to create a ticket: 511 (or toll-free at 1-844-696-7737) or email tir-occ@novascotia.ca
Have you contacted the department and it's been longer than a week for a ticket number to be sent back?
Call our office at 902-365-6210 or try emailing mlajulievanexan@gmail.com
Five-Year Highway
Improvement Plan
2026-27
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The Province has released its 2026–27 Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan, with continued investments in roads and infrastructure across our region.
Locally, this includes:
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Road repaving and upgrades on key routes
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Bridge and culvert repairs
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Safety improvements like guardrails and intersections
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Ongoing maintenance on well-travelled commuter roads
These investments help keep our roads safe and reliable, while supporting local businesses, agriculture, and tourism here in the Valley.
We know how important good roads are for getting to work, school, appointments, and home safely—and this plan helps ensure those connections stay strong.
You can view the full plan here: https://novascotia.ca/tran/highways/5yearplan/highway-plan-2026-27.pdf
Residents across Kings South can expect to see several road improvement projects as part of Nova Scotia's 2026–27 Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan.
A 2.0-kilometre pavement strengthening project is planned for South Bishop Road, extending from Trunk 1 north to Highway 101. Pavement strengthening involves rebuilding and reinforcing the road base to improve durability and extend the life of the roadway, making it better able to handle daily traffic and heavier vehicles.
Another significant project includes 6.4 kilometres of pavement strengthening on Black River Road, beginning at Gaspereau River Road and continuing south. This work is designed to improve the road's structural integrity, resulting in a smoother, safer drive and reducing the need for future repairs.
These investments are part of the Province's ongoing commitment to improving road safety, extending the lifespan of transportation infrastructure, and providing more reliable travel throughout Kings County.