HALIFAX, N.S. — The department of Transportation and Public Works is conducting its fifth annual customer satisfaction survey by polling over 2,000 Nova Scotians about the roads and highways in the province.

This survey is a cost-effective way to make sure we’re meeting the needs of drivers throughout the province and to get suggestions for improvement, says Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works.

As a result of last year’s feedback, the department introduced winter performance standards to ensure that snow and ice clearing work is handled the same way from one end of the province to the other.

Snow and ice removal is one of 18 highway services that are rated by survey respondents. Others include highway design, length of passing lanes, condition of road shoulders, filling of cracks and potholes, amount of four-lane highways and roadside brush clearing.

This kind of feedback helps the department make informed, objective recommendations for road maintenance and capital projects, says Russell.

Results of the 2002 customer satisfaction survey will be made public in 2003 and will be available at on the department’s Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/tran.