The Nova Scotia government is getting back into the paving business at a cost of $8.6 million.
Transportation Minister Bill Estabrooks says the province wants to address what he says has been unfair pricing and a lack of competition for project tenders in some areas of the province.
The cost includes $6 million to buy and run a mobile asphalt plant beginning in 2012.
Another $2.6 million will be spent to buy equipment and operate a 26-member road resurfacing crew beginning in May.
Bruce Fitzner, chief engineer for the Transportation Department, says it's believed the province can save up to $2.2 million each year by doing a limited amount of paving or chip sealing projects.
Fitzner says a lack of competition has resulted in prices for chip sealing that are up to two times higher than in neighbouring New Brunswick where the province also operates a paving crew.
Estabrooks says about 90 per cent of road work will remain in the hands of private companies.
