New Option for Highway 118 Interchange

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--New Option for Highway 118 Interchange

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works has released a third design option for the new interchange off Highway 118 in Dartmouth.

The province is building the interchange at the current entrance to the Whebby quarry to allow vehicle access to a new commercial development. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is interested in extending Wright Avenue in Burnside Industrial Park to the new interchange to meet growing traffic demands in the area. Both levels of government agreed in 2003 to share the construction costs of a new interchange.

Two interchange options were presented for public comment on Dec. 9. Option A separates the interchange from nearby Shubie Park with a concrete retaining wall. Option B integrates the interchange into the park and provides pedestrian and bicycle access from the new development. The Shubenacadie Canal Commission requested a compromise, so engineers at the Transportation and Public Works Department prepared a third option, which still allows access into Shubie Park, but does not encroach on the park. With the newest option, the interchange ramp will be within the existing Highway 118 right of way.

Option A involves only provincial land; Option B requires 1.8 hectares of land owned by HRM and currently zoned as holding, but designated for future park land; Option C requires 1.1 hectares of HRM land.

"All three options are acceptable to us," Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron Russell said today, Jan. 10, "but at this stage of the process, we prefer Option C. We sought and received public feedback on the design options and we were happy to develop another option for review."

All three interchange options will be available for public viewing and additional comment at a public information session on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Mr. Russell said that while Option C is the provincial government's choice, HRM is a partner in this project with a separate recommendation and approval process. He also said the public should have an opportunity to review this latest option and offer comments.

"Our responsibility is to build a safe structure for motorists at a reasonable cost to taxpayers and any one of the three designs will accomplish our objective," the minister said.

HRM staff will present three interchange options to council later this month.

The commitment to build the interchange goes back to 1975, when the province agreed to provide future access for development in exchange for the right to build Highway 118 through undeveloped private property.

In 2001, the Burnside Industrial Park Major Routes Traffic Access Study recommended that Wright Avenue be extended to the planned Highway 118 interchange to deal with increased traffic demands. In 1997, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved the City of Dartmouth's expropriation of land to complement Shubie Park. The hearings confirmed that an interchange off Highway 118 would be necessary.

Further information on the interchange options is available on the Transportation and Public Works website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highwayops/hwy118.asp .