The province yesterday announced a long-term strategic plan to address its $12- billion infrastructure deficit.
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott said the department put out a request for proposals for a consultant to evaluate the deficit and come up with a plan that will take Nova Scotia through to 2020.
“Over the next number of weeks to a month we’ll have someone in place,” Scott said.
In the federal budget announcement last month, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said each province would have access to money through Canada Builds, a federal infrastructure fund.
Scott said the feds mandated each province develop an infrastructure renewal plan. Ottawa will then provide cash for building on a cost-sharing basis with the province.
Total funds from the government for infrastructure renewal will add up to about $643 million over seven years, Scott said.
Scott said a provincial steering committee will oversee the chosen consultant and the project should be complete by early 2009.
Also yesterday the province announced a call for tenders to repair Queensland Beach Road, destroyed during subtropical storm Noel last fall.
