The New Brunswick government is planning a $942-million project that would twin Route 11 between Moncton and Miramichi.

Premier Shawn Graham announced the massive transportation project on Monday, although there were no details on when construction would start, when it is expected to be completed or how the province intends to pay for it.

"We recognize that Route 11 has seen a number of significant fatalities and the traffic pattern counts average up to 10,000 vehicles a day on [Route 11] in certain areas," Graham said.

"We're now moving forward with a very ambitious plan to see the beginning of [Route 11] being twinned ..."

The proposal consists of three phases.

The first phase of the project would see Route 11 twinned from Shediac to Bouctouche, which is in Graham's Kent riding. That would involve a total of 35 kilometres of highway and would also see twinned bridges over four major river crossings.

Statistics from the Department of Transportation indicate this area experiences roughly 6,600 vehicles daily at the Bouctouche end to more than 10,000 vehicles near Shediac.

The province is planning an informal public hearing on this phase later in April.

The second phase will see 21 kilometres twinned between Bouctouche and Richibouctou River. Provincial staff will be holding public information sessions in the fall.

Once that part of the highway construction project is completed, the final stretch of 65 kilometres that will lead to Miramichi will be undertaken. That section will also include several bridges and interchanges.

Graham said he is hopeful that the federal government will help finance the infrastructure project.