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N.B. to open four-lane highways to 40-metre long vehicles

Transportation Minister Denis Landry announced Wednesday that effective June 30, long-combination vehicles will be allowed to operate on New Brunswick's four-lane highways.

The vehicles are twin semi-trailer combinations 40-metres long.

The big rigs have been allowed on highways 1 and 2 between Saint John and Dieppe as a pilot project since 2005.

Landry said the long rigs can help the environment by saving fuel and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

To operate a long rig, trucking companies must get a permit from the Department of Transportation.

Volpe resorts to filibuster to oppose health bill

Interim Tory Leader Jeannot Volpe is filibustering the Liberal government's legislation to restructure regional health authorities from eight to two.

He has been speaking on the second reading of the bill for 10 hours over two days.

Volpe objects to Bill 34 An Act to Amend the Regional Health Authorities Act, as it abolishes the boards of the eight regional health authorities and gives Health Minister Mike Murphy sole authority until the two new structures are in place this fall.

He's also opposed to a special section to protect Murphy from lawsuits and that the health minister said the new legislation would be effective immediately upon being tabled rather than after it passed third reading.

Briefs compiled by reporter Stephen Llewellyn