NB Premier hopeful promises to finish Hwy. 1 twinning

SAINT JOHN, N.B. — The leader of New Brunswick’s Liberal opposition says if elected, he’ll complete the twinning of Hwy. 1 between Saint John and the St. Stephen border crossing.

Shawn Graham made the promise last Friday during the 55th annual general meeting of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, reports the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal.

Graham said improving the corridor between Atlantic Canada and the Northeast US is crucial, since a new corridor in the U.S. has been proposed between Calais, Me. and Watertown, N.Y. In recent months that project has become a federal priority for Washington after more than 50 years of discussion.

The recent U.S. Federal Highway Transportation Reauthorization Bill provides approximately $25 million US for the next six years for Maine East-West Corridor projects, including $7-million US for the St. Stephen/Calais border crossing. Another $50-million US in funding has been earmarked for a new border crossing station through separate U.S. federal legislation.

— from the Brunswick Telegraph-Journal