511 - WHAT IS IT?

by Linda Quigley

Many people have seen the new small blue signs on the main highways that say "511" with a telephone cord wrapped around it.

511 is a new "access to information" system that is being tested in Nova Scotia. If it is successful, it may become available across Canada. 511 is a digital computer message that will tell you about the road conditions on the 100 series highways in Nova Scotia (Hwy 101, 102, 103, 104). There is no information available on any smaller roads or highways yet.

511 can be accessed from a cell phone or from a land phone - but not from text or tty....yet. If you dial 511, a computer message will say 'please enter a highway number'...then you dial in highway number. A computer message will tell you if the road is clear or snow covered or icy or closed.. You cannot call 711 to access 511 because 511 is only available in Nova Scotia, and 711 is in New Brunswick.

DAANS has asked the Department of Highways to work on making this accessible by text and tty, and they are looking for ways to do that now. However, until then, you can get the same information (and more) from the internet at www.theweathernetwork.ca - click on Nova Scotia - click on road conditions.

You can also call 426-7554 tty or 1-866-297-7554 tty, 24 hours a day 7 days a week to find out more up to date road conditions. This is the RCMP emergency information hotline number that DAANS set up several years ago.