The province has released its Capital Plan for the next year, and it includes a few hefty investments into the South Shore.
A total investment of $1.042 billion was announced by Finance and Treasury Board Minister Karen Casey on Tuesday with money being funneled toward health care, schools, highways and public infrastructure.
When asked what this will do for the province’s debt, Casey said there’s good debt – and bad debt.
“We consider putting money on the debt that is investing in infrastructure that will serve the residents of Nova Scotia for years to come as good debt,” she said, “Because at the end of the day, you have an asset.
Locally, funding is being provided for projects along Highway 103, including the new interchange in Bridgewater and roadwork from Exit 17 to the Lunenburg/Queens County line.
Casey says the bulk of the spending plan will go to major health care projects.
“This year we are investing an additional $154 million to support the largest health care redevelopment projects in the province’s history,” she said, “The QEII New Generation Project and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Health Care Redevelopment.”
Included in the health care developments is an Emergency Department and ICU expansion at South Shore Regional Hospital which was announced last year.
The Capital Plan can be found here.
