Residents oppose Highway 103 connector

Opponents of aproposed connector roadtoHighway 103 say it will mean more development alongNova Scotia'sSouth Shore.

More than 200 people gathered at the Black Point Fire Hall Wednesday night to hear more abouta plan to twin the busy highway in the St. Margaret's Bay area.

David Wimberly and others argue that a new exit and connector road into the scenic coastal area could be disastrous.

"What it will do is allow a lot more traffic to come into the area and new developments and open up areas for ecological destruction," said Wimberly.

About 10,000 vehicles travel the highway each day, according to the province. There have been a number of fatal crashes, including one two years ago when three men were killed in a head-on collision.

Proponents of the connector road say it will ensure quicker access to emergency care for people living in the area.

The province has come up with four possible routes. But Bill Estabrooks, minister of transportation and infrastructure renewal, said it's too early to decide about the connector.

"The highway from Exit 5 to Exit 6 needs to be twinned because of the volumes that are on it. The connector and the various options that are being presented, there has been no decision on that yet," he said.

Estabrooks said he expects construction on Highway 103 to begin next year.

He said if there is resistance to the idea of a connector road, he'll recommend that it be scrapped.