Nova Scotia is launching a pilot project, effective Oct. 1, in six communities to enhance trail connections for off-highway vehicles.
The pilot enables them to use the shoulders of roadways, and the roadway itself where necessary, in order to safely travel in select areas from one trail to another or to access services.
“This three-year pilot will enhance trail connections and associated off season tourism opportunities while providing us with an opportunity for further study,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Lloyd Hines. “The locations for this pilot were selected weighing factors such as trail connections, traffic volumes and road speed.”
Only registered, licensed and insured off-highway vehicles can operate on the shoulder, or the roadway, in these six pilot areas as long as the operator has a valid driver’s licence. Drivers holding a learner’s licence are not permitted to participate. No passenger on one of the vehicles operating in the pilot area can be younger than nine years old.
The six communities chosen for the pilot are: Porters Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality; New Germany, Lunenburg Co.; Weymouth, Digby Co.; Walton, Hants Co.; Sherbrooke, Guysborough Co. and Gabarus, Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
“We’re pleased the government has fulfilled its commitment to advance this project,” said Barry Barnet, executive director of the ATV Association of Nova Scotia. “This will go a long way to support our work of building an interconnected trail network across Nova Scotia and spreading the message of safe responsible off-highway vehicle use.”
Further information on the rules of the road for the pilot in these six communities is available at https://novascotia.ca/ohv-pilot/ .
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Source : Media Release