Kings-Hants MP and Treasury Board president Scott Brison and Kings South MLA Keith Irving announced $15.3 million in joint federal and provincial funding at a news conference at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas Nov. 7.
The project involves the construction of an overpass, four ramps to form a diamond shaped interchange, a 900-metre collector road from Highway 101 to Granite Drive, a roundabout at the end of Granite Drive and Silver Fox Avenue and roundabouts at each of the two intersections of the on-off ramps.
New Minas Village Commission vice chairman Maynard Stevens said this is “a fantastic announcement.” He started serving on the village commission nine years ago and they were discussing the project then. To see funding and a timeframe announced is “exciting.”
“I can’t wait for the first shovel to be dug and for the project to get going,” Stevens said. “It’s very important for the Village of New Minas and for the Valley in general.”
Knowing that the project was eventually going to happen, the village commission budgeted last year for some other associated infrastructure improvements.
They’re contributing between $700,000 and $800,000 to extend sewer and water services and for sidewalks. This will help set the stage for possible development in the vicinity of the interchange and south of Highway 101 and establish more active transportation infrastructure.
Irving said the village commission; County of Kings and Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce have lobbied hard for the project, which has been at the top of his priority list for three years. He said Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal staff worked hard to get the drawings and tender ready.
“We’re definitely shovel-ready,” Irving said.
He said the roundabout planned for the end of Granite Drive and Silver Fox Avenue would allow access to the County Fair Mall and newer commercial development to the immediate east without having to travel down Highway 1, Commercial Street.
“That will be significant,” Irving said. “I learned today that we’re expecting that this project will relieve traffic by about a third on Commercial Street.”
Irving said the project would help keep residential development off farmland by providing access to land on the hills to the south.
The project tender closes Nov. 23. Irving said work on the overpass would begin over the winter and work on the ramps and roundabouts would begin this coming summer. The interchange will open in 2018, after paving is completed.
Brison said bumper-to-bumper traffic many days of the week can discourage people from visiting and reduces quality of life for people living in the community.
“Keeping highways up-to-date and making sure we invest to reflect increased levels of traffic in communities that are growing is essential to building economic opportunities and to enhancing quality of life,” Brison said.
The project will help reduce traffic congestion, improve driver safety and enhance the potential for community and commercial development and job creation.
AVCC pleased with announcement
The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) is congratulating the provincial and federal governments for their cooperation and planning in moving the Granite Drive interchange project ahead.
“Allowing for the more efficient movement of people around a primary shopping district benefits many businesses in this area of the Valley,” AVCC president Paul DesBarres said.
The AVCC has been advocating for the completion of the project since 2005. The organization represents nearly 400 businesses and their employees between Hantsport and Lawrencetown.
Kings-Hants MP and Treasury Board president Scott Brison and Kings South MLA Keith Irving announced $15.3 million in joint federal and provincial funding at a news conference at the Louis Millett Community Complex in New Minas Nov. 7.
The project involves the construction of an overpass, four ramps to form a diamond shaped interchange, a 900-metre collector road from Highway 101 to Granite Drive, a roundabout at the end of Granite Drive and Silver Fox Avenue and roundabouts at each of the two intersections of the on-off ramps.
New Minas Village Commission vice chairman Maynard Stevens said this is “a fantastic announcement.” He started serving on the village commission nine years ago and they were discussing the project then. To see funding and a timeframe announced is “exciting.”
“I can’t wait for the first shovel to be dug and for the project to get going,” Stevens said. “It’s very important for the Village of New Minas and for the Valley in general.”
Knowing that the project was eventually going to happen, the village commission budgeted last year for some other associated infrastructure improvements.
They’re contributing between $700,000 and $800,000 to extend sewer and water services and for sidewalks. This will help set the stage for possible development in the vicinity of the interchange and south of Highway 101 and establish more active transportation infrastructure.
Irving said the village commission; County of Kings and Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce have lobbied hard for the project, which has been at the top of his priority list for three years. He said Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal staff worked hard to get the drawings and tender ready.
“We’re definitely shovel-ready,” Irving said.
He said the roundabout planned for the end of Granite Drive and Silver Fox Avenue would allow access to the County Fair Mall and newer commercial development to the immediate east without having to travel down Highway 1, Commercial Street.
“That will be significant,” Irving said. “I learned today that we’re expecting that this project will relieve traffic by about a third on Commercial Street.”
Irving said the project would help keep residential development off farmland by providing access to land on the hills to the south.
The project tender closes Nov. 23. Irving said work on the overpass would begin over the winter and work on the ramps and roundabouts would begin this coming summer. The interchange will open in 2018, after paving is completed.
Brison said bumper-to-bumper traffic many days of the week can discourage people from visiting and reduces quality of life for people living in the community.
“Keeping highways up-to-date and making sure we invest to reflect increased levels of traffic in communities that are growing is essential to building economic opportunities and to enhancing quality of life,” Brison said.
The project will help reduce traffic congestion, improve driver safety and enhance the potential for community and commercial development and job creation.
AVCC pleased with announcement
The Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce (AVCC) is congratulating the provincial and federal governments for their cooperation and planning in moving the Granite Drive interchange project ahead.
“Allowing for the more efficient movement of people around a primary shopping district benefits many businesses in this area of the Valley,” AVCC president Paul DesBarres said.
The AVCC has been advocating for the completion of the project since 2005. The organization represents nearly 400 businesses and their employees between Hantsport and Lawrencetown.