Dieppe, NB – One trucking group is open to a plan by the Nova Scotia government to speed up construction along what it said are some of the province’s “most dangerous sections of highway” but it’s not wild about possibly seeing more highway tolls.

The sentiment from the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) follows the government asking for proposals to conduct a feasibility study for the twinning and tolling at eight specific sections of four major highways, with the belief the additional funding could speed up the pace of roadway expansions. 

The association said the government’s commitment to undertake a study on how to twin sections of parts of 100 series highways more quickly is a good approach, provided the government goes into the study with an open mind about its current revenues from fuel taxes and how they should be spent.

“Governments have enough resources to properly fund required transportation infrastructure as it is,” said Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of APTA. “What we don’t want to see is a preconceived idea that tolls are the only way to undertake these improvements, because we know from experience they aren’t.”

The association said it has asked the government to be included in the consultation so it can give its opinion on solutions that will work for both Nova Scotians and the entire region.

“Tolls are simply another form of taxation, and they impact the most vulnerable in society the most by increasing the cost of everything shipped in Atlantic Canada again,” he said.