Antigonish County Warden Owen McCarron, Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie MLA and provincial minister for Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Lloyd Hines, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation Chief Paul ‘PJ” Prosper, MP for Cape Breton-Canso Rodger Cuzner, and Antigonish MLA Randy Delorey were on hand for a $15.3 million funding announcement for the Paqtnkek Interchange Project. (The Casket Newspaper)
On October 21st, Antigonish County Warden Owen McCarron emceed the $15.3 million federal-provincial funding announcement at the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. Also on hand for the announcement were Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie MLA and provincial minister for Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Lloyd Hines, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation Chief Paul ‘PJ” Prosper, MP for Cape Breton-Canso Rodger Cuzner, and Antigonish MLA Randy Delorey.
The collaborative project, in partnership with the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, involves the construction of a diamond interchange, including new north and south connector roads and highway underpass.
“These improvements will significantly reduce travel times for residents of the Paqtnkek community, and increase safety and traveler mobility to and from highway 104. Most importantly, the new interchange will provide improved 100 Series highway access to Reserve lands that were previously disconnected from the highway.” Quoted Chief Prosper.
“Certainly, lands were cut off in the 1960s, and this, sort of, has a way of righting that historic wrong. And provides an opportunity for the community to really think about what this represents for us; as a community, as individuals, and to allow for progress to emerge in a way that, sort of, meets the distinct needs of our community while also being responsive to emerging markets.”