CUTBACKS TO ROADWORK PUT DRIVERS AT RISK: ELIZABETH SMITH-MCCROSSIN AMHERST, NS:

A projected 35 per cent reduction in asphalt work could leave deteriorating roads unrepaired and increase safety risks across rural Nova Scotia unless the Tim Houston government acts immediately, Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth SmithMcCrossin warned today. The Nova Scotia Road Builders Association recently shared its concerns about the lack of road work in Nova Scotia this year. Contractors entered the 2026 season expecting capital program volumes comparable to 2025; however, they have seen a huge reduction in road work.

Earlier this year, this government cut the 80-20 Rule from the Trucking Association of NS and the Department of Public Works encouraged the Roadbuilders Association to work with the TANS “in anticipation of a busy construction season.” By mid-July of 2026, only 59 asphalt tenders had closed, 21 per cent fewer than the 75 that had closed a year earlier. About 408,000 tonnes of asphalt had been tendered, 27 per cent below the five-year average of approximately 560,000 tonnes for the same point in the season. The Roadbuilders Association projects that asphalt work could decline by between 250,000 and 300,000 tonnes this year, putting the season approximately 35 per cent below historical levels.

“This is a major hit to the roadbuilding industry,” said Smith-McCrossin. “and the lack of road work is causing safety concerns. I am hearing from people every day with punctured tires, bent rims, and other vehicle damage that they believe results from poor road conditions”.

Data received from the Roadbuilders’ Association also show a huge drop in the Gravel Road Program, falling from $55 million in 2025-26 to $27.5 million this year, a 50 per cent reduction. The Provincial government is responsible for more than 23,000 kilometres of roads and highways, including more than 8,400 kilometres of gravel roads. “At this rate, rural Nova Scotia is going to continue to see worsening road infrastructure and increasing safety concerns,” said Smith-McCrossin.

“When roadwork falls behind, the backlog grows, costs rise and roads become less safe.”

The Five-Year Highway Improvement Plan identifies $161 million for asphalt and resurfacing in 2026-27, unchanged from the amount identified for 2025-26. Nova Scotia is already more than halfway through its construction season, yet only a fraction of that allocation has been put out to tender, awarded or spent.

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Smith-McCrossin. “Numerous rural emergency departments were closed, and the Houston government has cut the Gravel Road Program in half while asphalt work has fallen by 30 percent, leaving rural roads to deteriorate. Those are not the actions of a government that is prioritizing rural Nova Scotia.”

Smith-McCrossin is calling on Public Works Minister Fred Tilley to provide, by Tuesday, August 18, a complete accounting of this year’s asphalt and capital projects, including those tendered, awarded, delayed, removed or deferred, along with their tonnage, value and construction timelines.

The Roadbuilders Association advised Smith-McCrossin that additional tenders were expected this week, but as of Monday, August 10, it had received no notice of any new tenders. It has warned that layoffs could begin before the end of August without additional work.

“The government has announced a highway plan, but a plan is useless if the government “The government has announced a highway plan, but a plan is useless if the government does not act on it,” said Smith-McCrossin. “Once this construction season is lost, equipment will be sold, jobs will be lost, laid off workers will likely move to Alberta and roads that should have been repaired will deteriorate further and become even more dangerous for the people who use them.”