ST. STEPHEN, N.B. – The final stretch of Route 1 in New Brunswick is set to be twinned and should be completed by 2014.

Transport Canada and the Province of New Brunswick are partnering to complete the twinning and rehabilitation of Route 1.

"Completing the twinning of Route 1 has been a key infrastructure priority for our government and is important to New Brunswick’s future self-sufficiency," said Premier Shawn Graham. "We are pleased that the federal government recognizes that eliminating this bottleneck will be a positive development for the economies of all four Atlantic Provinces."

Construction of the $275-million project includes 27.5 km of new four-lane highway on Route 1 between Murray Road and Pennfield, as well as the rehabilitation of approximately 30 km of existing four-lane highway between Route 7 and Lepreau.

The improvements also include major work on bridges at the Digdeguash River and the Magaguadavic River, as well as three new interchanges located at the eastern junction of Route 127, the junction of Route 760 in Bethel and Manor Road in St. George.

In addition, grade separations are planned at the Frye Road Extension, Kerrs Ridge Road, Kelly Road and at Route 770 in St. George. The interchange at Route 7 will also be upgraded.

"Completing the twinning of Route 1 will be a major safety benefit on one of our province’s busiest highways," said N.B. Transport Minister Denis Landry. "My department estimates the twinning of Route 1 will reduce fatal accidents in this area by 90 per cent."