The Atlantic Road Report
Bits and pieces of news collected from around the Atlantic Region
NEWFOUNDLAND
Approximately 10 kilometres of roads on the Northern Peninsula will be improved following the awarding of a contract for road construction in the region.
A contract valued at $4.5 million has been awarded to Nortech Construction Co Ltd. to complete upgrades on Route 430, Northern Peninsula Highway, including 4.6 kilometres between Bear Cove and Green Island Cove, 2.8 kilometres south of Three Mile Rock, and 1.2 kilometres near the Route 430 intersection with Route 432.
The contract also includes work on approximately one kilometre of Route 430-15, West Link Road.
The scope of work for all areas includes replacing culverts, clearing ditches, and paving.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure anticipates this work to be completed later this construction season.
Other work planned for Route 430 includes repairs to Bowing Brook Bridge and Castor River Bridge next construction season.
Information on tenders issued and awarded by the department and other public bodies is available by visiting www.merx.com/govnl.
Information on active highway construction projects and repairs is also available by visiting nl511.ca and on the NL 511 mobile app.
“Paving rural highways is an investment in rural communities. It creates safer highways for everyone and increases the potential for tourism and economic growth. We look forward to completing more work in this area in future years and remind everyone to drive cautiously through highway construction sites, said” Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
NEW BRUNSWICK
Marysville Bridge/Nashwaak River Bridge No. 2
In the summer of 2022, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure will begin repairs on the Marysville Bridge. Details of the bridge work are available below along with the status of each phase. DTI wishes to advise the travelling public that during this time the bridge and approaches will be reduced to one lane of traffic. There may also be six occasions of bridge closures in the summer of 2022 for up to 12 hours to allow for the bridge to be lifted to install new bridge bearings. The public will be notified ahead of the bridge closure dates. In 2023, the Marysville Bridge will be closed to all traffic for two, 72-hour periods to allow for the concrete deck pours to take place. Any closures or additional traffic disruptions will be communicated to the public.
Work on this project is anticipated to be complete before the end of November 2023.
Once complete, the lifespan of the bridge will be extended by another 30 years.
Phase 1: Install traffic barriers, complete pier cap beam repairs including concrete replacement and crack injection, bearing replacement at each pier and beam strengthening.
Status:
Phase 2: Complete deck rehabilitation in the westbound lane, concrete deck and sidewalk removal, replacement of barriers and portions of the abutments and installation of new lights.
Status:
Phase 3: Complete deck rehabilitation in the eastbound lane, concrete deck and sidewalk removal and replacement of barriers and portions of the abutments and installation of a new wider barrier separated sidewalk to accommodate trail users as well as new lights.
Status:
Phase 4: Installation of pier fibre wrap
Status: This can be done throughout the rehabilitation process of the bridge.
NOVA SCOTIA
Transfer of roads from the Province of Nova Scotia to the Halifax Regional Municipality
As of June 1, 2022, approximately 300 lane kilometres of roads were transferred from the Province of Nova Scotia to the municipality in two areas (areas 1 and 4). As of June 1, 2022, the municipality’s Public Works department is the new service provider for general and winter maintenance to new customers in these areas.
The first impacted area (area 1) includes roads within Boutiliers Point, Ingramport, Head of St Margarets Bay, Lewis Lake, Hubley and Upper Tantallon. The second area (area 4) includes roads within East Preston, Lake Echo, Mineville, and the Western areas of Lawrencetown.
On April 13, 2022, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) approved the stormwater service boundary exchange to Halifax Water. Property owners in Areas 1 and 4 may become stormwater customers of Halifax Water as of June 1, 2022. Halifax Water will notify all property owners whether they will become customers. New stormwater customers in these areas will not be billed by Halifax Water until early 2023. To learn more, visit halifaxwater.ca/stormwater-expansion.
Residents will experience no disruptions in services throughout the transfer period.
Background
Through the Municipal Reform (1994) Act, SNS 1994-95, c 7, a Road Transfer Agreement (HRM-01) was signed in 1996.
On November 29, 2019, the Minister of Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) — now Nova Scotia Public Works (NSPW) — provided the municipality with notice of the province’s intent to transfer approximately 300 lane kilometers of roads to the municipality by April 21, 2021.
As per Regional Council direction, a letter was sent from the Mayor to the Minister of NSTIR, requesting a deferral until at least June 1, 2022 (see attachment B in the staff report), to allow more time for both provincial and municipal staff to prepare for a seamless service transfer. On September 15, 2020 the municipality received a letter from the Minister of NSTIR granting the deferral of the road transfer until June 1, 2022.
A review of the municipal urban service boundary occurs periodically. As part of this review, population densities are assessed and, together with other factors, a determination is made about transferring responsibility for maintaining roads from the province to the municipality.
Various arrangements between the province and the municipality, including HRM-01, the guiding road transfer document, address the process of the transferring of roads.
As a result, the province transferred to the municipality the responsibility for roadway maintenance and related infrastructure for the two areas.
For more information, visit: Halifax Water Stormwater Service Expansion | Halifax Water
Prince Edward Island
Islanders invited to free car seat safety check
The provincial government is partnering with IWK’s Child Safety Link (CSL) program to offer the Child Passenger Safety Course to highway safety staff.
The training will help staff in offering car seat safety inspections to Island families and ensure the proper and safe use of car and booster seats in Prince Edward Island.
As part of the hands-on training certification, volunteers with car seats installed in their vehicles are needed to assist. Islanders interested in helping by getting a free car seat safety check on
June 23 between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm at 64 Park Street, Charlottetown can call 902-470-7036 or email ashley.holden@iwk.nshealth.ca(link sends e-mail) to confirm an appointment time.
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, motor vehicle collisions, are the leading cause of death among children under the age of 14. When used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of injury and death by as much as 70 per cent.
CSL is an injury prevention program at IWK Health dedicated to reducing the incidence and severity of unintentional injury to children and youth in the Maritimes. CSL is committed to working with community organizations, governments and other partners to ensure children are as safe as necessary at home, on the road and at play.
