The Highway 102 improvements in Nova Scotia have been highlighted as potentially one of the province's most significant transportation projects, marking a substantial investment in infrastructure. Recently, the province announced the issuance of a request for proposals on October 31, which is a pivotal step toward developing plans aimed at enhancing safety and overall design on this heavily trafficked highway.

The focus of the proposals is on engaging a consultant to pinpoint the necessary work along Highway 102, specifically between exits 0 and 4, which navigates through the Halifax Regional Municipality. The province has identified several critical areas for safety upgrades, including the interchanges at Highway 101, Highway 107, Hammonds Plains Road, and Kearney Lake Road exits.

Significant efforts will be concentrated on a 20-kilometre stretch of Highway 102, extending from the 107 interchange to Bayers Road. Proposed enhancements may include the introduction of a high-occupancy vehicle lane and the modernization of interchanges, aimed at improving safety and the capacity to accommodate more vehicles on the highway.

The Department of Public Works has commenced initial planning for this project, incorporating traffic assessments, environmental screening, and mapping efforts to ensure a comprehensive approach to the improvements.

Firms interested in this project have until November 26 to submit their bids. Once a firm is selected for the project, there will be opportunities for the public to provide feedback in 2026, ensuring community input in the planning process.

As part of the ongoing improvements to Highway 102, the provincial government plans to introduce 25,000 new housing units over the coming decades. In May, an area adjacent to the highway was designated as a provincially special planning area, which will assist in guiding the development of new communities in line with projected population growth.

The designated land, covering 255 hectares west of Highway 102 between Kearney Lake Road and Lacewood Drive, has been established in response to extensive studies that highlight its significance within the Halifax Regional Municipality. This initiative is part of the broader Atlantic Canada Regional Transportation Plan, which outlines strategic developments to improve traffic dynamics in the HRM over the next 20 years.