The project involves designing and building a 38km twinned section of Highway 104. Credit: Yongha Bae from Pixabay.

Dexter Nova Alliance, a consortium which includes local contractors Dexter Construction and Nova Construction, has secured a C$717.9m ($515.3m) highway project contract in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The contract was awarded by the Government of Nova Scotia and involves designing and building a 38km twinned section of Highway 104.

The consortium will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the highway.

Dexter Nova Alliance, which also includes BBGI as an equity partner, secured the contract by outbidding two other shortlisted companies.

Construction works are set to begin next month and are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Once complete, the project is expected to make road transportation between Sutherland’s River, Pictou Co. and Antigonish safer for motorists.

Nova Scotia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Lloyd Hines said: “Nova Scotians were clear that they want safe roads now. This will mean a safer, affordable and more efficient highway being opened years earlier than a conventional highway project.”

Overall, the Highway 104 project includes building a twinned highway from the east of New Glasgow, near Exit 27 at Sutherlands River, towards east, of which 28km will be two-lane twinned highway and 10km four-lane twinned highway.

Additionally, Dexter Nova Alliance will rehabilitate the existing section of highway by repaving the entire section and replacing seven existing bridges.

The federal government has committed to provide C$90m ($64.54m) for the project under the National Trade Corridors Fund.