Government Supports Sustainable Transportation in Mahone Bay and Lunenburg

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Government is supporting three new sustainable transportation projects in the Lunenburg and Mahone Bay areas that help connect residents to community hubs and promote active living.

Lunenburg MLA Suzanne Lohnes-Croft, on behalf of Energy Minister Michel Samson, announced today, Aug. 19, that local sustainable transportation projects will receive funding from the province’s sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2.

“I am thrilled to see these projects that enhance sustainable transportation in our region moving forward,” said Ms. Lohnes-Croft. “The project teams have shown great dedication and worked hard to promote active living by using our beautiful landscape.”

With a $4,500 grant from Connect2 and additional funding from the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, the Dynamite Trail Association will upgrade the Dynamite Trail.

“The Dynamite Trail runs from Martins River to Mahone Bay. The trail needs a higher level of maintenance to give cyclists a better experience,” said Sandy Hamilton, chair of the Dynamite Trail Association. “This trail is used by residents as an alternate route to Mahone Bay for work or shopping and as an exercise trail for runners, hikers and cyclists. We are very excited to improve this busy trail.”

Queen’s Rails to Trails Association is receiving $5,000 from Connect2 and additional funding from the Department of Communities Culture and Heritage to help with the Summerville Trail project. The project will create a new rail to trail to allow residents to safely and actively commute in an area where a narrow roadway and road shoulders make it dangerous for active transportation.

The project will link the villages of Hunts Point, Summerville Center, White Point, and the Summerville Beach Provincial Park.

“With Highway 3 being narrow and winding, it’s unsafe to walk on the shoulder of the highway,” said Kevin Traynor, vice president of Rails to Trails. “Along the highway is an abandoned rail bed giving both ocean and woods views, and we are looking forward to creating a safe connection for the residents using this route.”

The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is receiving $50,000 to widen the shoulders and resurface Pine Grove Road to create an active transportation route. This will connect residents to community facilities and schools, with connector points to Bridgewater.

“An active transportation route is essential for this growing community,” said deputy mayor of Lunenburg Claudette Garland. “This will provide residents and visitors a way to connect with the business and employment district of Osprey Village, and with the neighbouring school, Centre Scolaire de la Rive Sud, the Pinegrove Outdoor Play Association Park, as well as local connectors such as the LaHave River Trail, the Arthur Young Trail and the Centennial Trail.”

Connect2 aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.

More projects will be announced in the coming weeks, and all will be completed by March 10, 2017.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation/.

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Source: Release