The warden of Antigonish Co. says a new highway interchange is a great step forward for Paq’tnkek and all of the municipality.
Representatives with the Paq’tnkek First Nation and the municipal, provincial and federal governments officially opened the new $15.3 million interchange Tuesday.
Work started in Sept. 2017; drivers have been using it to access Hwy. 104 since December.
After January’s regular municipal council meeting Tuesday night, Owen McCarron, the warden of Antigonish Co. said the project is good on several levels.
“We see lots of opportunity (for) our friends in Paq’tnkek- when you look at the history of their community, being severed from their lands to the south, this finally rights that wrong,” he said. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue to work with Paq’tnkek.”
McCarron said the new Bayside Travel Centre off the interchange will be a great attraction for the area.
He said it will create growth for the entire municipality.
“A facility of the size that they’re talking (about) will create economic opportunity,” he said. “It’ll be jobs for local residents- both on-reserve and off-reserve residents.”
The first phase of the development, which includes two quick-service restaurants, a band-owned and operated convenience store, truckers’ lounge and electric charging station, is expected to open in the summer.
Band officials have said they’re already in the process of planning for the second phase of the centre.
