It’s the next step to improve one of the busiest highways in Nova Scotia.

The province says the contract has been awarded in the Highway 102 Improvement Design Project to WSP, which has more than 60 years in planning, engineering and technical experience.

WSP is a global company but has headquarters in Canada.

It will focus on upgrading between exits 0 (Bayers Road) and 4C (Highway 107).

It will:
– determine how best to move more people and goods while balancing the needs of different modes of transportation
– consider interchange updates, safety improvements and high-occupancy vehicle lanes and/or transit priority measures
– analyze the impact of development along the corridor, including several approved special planning areas
– confirm the feasibility of proposed upgrades, guide long-term investments in it, and help inform future decision-making

“This is an important step forward as we are moving from identifying problems to finding solutions,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “This project will determine how to transform this critical part of the transportation network for future generations. While that vital work is underway, government continues to identify actions we can take now to improve congestion.”

About 60,000 people use this section of Highway 102 every day.

The project will cost $1.1 million and is expected to take one year.