Twinned highway transition dangerous: West Hants councillors

West Hants municipal councillors worry that a section of Highway 101 recently twinned to prevent fatal collisions has created a new hazard where it meets the original highway.

The four-lane section of Nova Scotia highway between Falmouth and Avonport was officially opened on Monday.

'We just want it done before somebody is hurt or killed' — West Hants warden Richard Dauphinee

Gary Cochrane, a councillor with the Municipality of the District of West Hants, said the area where the twinned section merges into the untwinned part near Falmouth poses problems for drivers.

Cochrane said he was driving down the highway Monday night when the car next to him came to a complete stop where the twinned section ends.

"I think there was a fair amount of traffic coming the other way and it just looked like the person was confused, which to me would be a scary happening if there was traffic or a truck that was behind this individual," he said.

Cochrane calls the section of highway an "accident waiting to happen."

Warden Richard Dauphinee said he's heard similar stories of drivers coming to a dead stop on the highway.

He said he's all for the twinning project, but the transition area needs attention.

"This issue is just signage, lack of lighting and maybe even barriers," Dauphinee said. "I'm sure this will be corrected. We just want it done before somebody is hurt or killed."

The West Hants council has written to Transportation Minister Murray Scott, asking his department to review the situation and consider some safety measures to reduce the confusion.

Department spokeswoman Patricia Jreig said the transition area has the standard three sets of warning signs.

Centre-line painting and other finishing work was expected to be done in the next few weeks.

"Unfortunately, since we opened this section of highway, we haven't had a dry day in the area. So as soon as we get a dry day that'll be a priority for us," said Jreig.

Twinning the section of Highway 101 cost about $47 million and took four years to complete.