Problem Highway To Be Straightened Construction On New Section Of 103 Begins in 2011 Plans for a $33-million controlled access, eight-kilometre section of Highway 103were announced on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 by Premier Rodney MacDonald. "This is a significant part of the work to modernize roads from one end of Nova Scotia to the other," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "Today's announcement represents Phase I of a plan to build a controlled access highway from Broad River to Sable River, improving safety along this stretch of highway while supporting the local economy." Highway 103 serves as a gateway from Halifax to Yarmouth and then links to the U.S., via the CAT ferry.The improvement is important for the economic growth of the province. "This investment will ensure that this vital route continues to serve the province of Nova Scotia well into the future," said Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, representing the government of Canada. "It will also bring peace of mind to local residents and businesses who use this highway daily." The project responds to requests from local chambers of commerce, residents and elected officials to make the section of highway a priority. Construction, targeted to begin in late 2011 and expected to be completed within two years, will provide jobs for the local economy. "We're pleased to move forward on this project that meets the needs of local businesses and residents," said Brooke Taylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "This project will improve safety and traffic flow on the South Shore." An environmental assessment, surveying, land acquisition and detailed design work will be done before construction. The province of Nova Scotia is providing funding through its Building for Growth Plan, one of the largest infrastructure programs in the province's history.
N.S. Legislative Assembly, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 MS. VICKI CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. In the Speech from the Throne, the Progressive Conservative Government dusted off an old promise when the Premier committed to the twinning and the modernization of Nova Scotia highways from Sydney to Yarmouth by 2020. However, past governments didn't deliver and I'm not quite so sure that this government will deliver either. Our current roads, linking our rural communities, are in shambles. Can the minister be a bit more specific with commitments and tell the residents of the South Shore when they will have safer roads and highways?
HON. MURRAY SCOTT: Mr. Speaker, I'm sure the honourable member realizes this morning, in the Chronicle Herald, there was in fact a tender for her own area of this province.
MS. CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to hear that yesterday because I've been doing a lot of advocacy for the roads in my riding. I want to draw the minister's attention to the section of Highway No. 103 between Broad River and Queens and the Sable River in Shelburne County, which has seen several accidents in the past few years and requires a lot of upgrading. It has been acknowledged as one of the more dangerous sections of the highway. Our federal and municipal representatives have all identified this stretch of highway as a priority. I was told by the previous minister, in a letter that I will table today, that the department planning work was in process so that when funding becomes available, work can begin. My question is, to the minister, where in the process is this preliminary planning?
MR. SCOTT: Mr. Speaker, again, the NDP are a little Johnny-come-lately but that's okay. We will explain today that as a result of a recent announcement of the federal government, I met with the federal member, the Honourable Gerald Keddy for the area. I also met with the MLA for Chester-St. Margaret's, the honourable Minister of Health, who else was there? (Interruptions) My colleague, the member for Yarmouth, the member for Eastern Shore and several other members brought this very important issue to my attention. I can tell you, we are going to give it our undivided attention with regard to that highway to make it safe.
MS. CONRAD: Mr. Speaker, residents who live in the communities of Port Joli, Port Mouton and on the St. Catherine's Road have called me for the past year and a half about their concerns and have also given some suggestions to make this stretch a lot safer. I have been in communications with several of the members as well with regard to this. A bypass through this area is one clear and sensible solution. Now that we know there are federal dollars available for projects like this, my question to the minister is when will the construction begin on this section of the highway? (Interruptions)
MR. SCOTT: I am getting some help here from my colleagues on the date there, Mr. Speaker, but again I want to reiterate to the House that I have met with the federal member and several of my colleagues in regard to this issue. It is very important to this government. I know how important a piece of highway that is and we will have some news on that in the near future.
Queens MLA Vicki Conrad Appeals To Federal Government To Give Attention To The Dangerous Section Of The 103
November 26, 2007
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Tower C - 330 Sparks St. Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Dear Minister Cannon,
We have heard about the recent announcement of $634-million agreement between the federal and provincial governments, one of the largest infrastructure investments announced in Canada for many years.
There is one particular stretch of provincial highway that I hope will be included in this program. This road lies between Broad River in the riding of Queens and Sable River in Shelburne County, and runs through the communities of Port Mouton and Port Joli. This is a section of highway #3/103, which has seen several serious accidents in the past few years and desperately requires upgrading. It has been acknowledged as one of the more dangerous sections of this highway. Our federal and municipal representatives have also identified this stretch of highway as a priority.
To give you a sense of the problems: the road is small and winding; the surface is in poor condition, in some areas it has seriously delaminated and is pocked with holes. Some corners and hills are absolutely dangerous, even with additional signage the roads are still treacherous in the fog and especially for those who don't know the area well. The highway is quite narrow through this area, and also has very small shoulders. There are few passing lanes and no pull-off areas.
Another aspect of the problem is that the old #3 section of this highway runs through the community of Port Mouton, passing through a residential area with a current speed limit of 60 km per hour. This area is a known speeding zone, with many vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the community. It is a fairly remote area without a high population density, there is no longer a school, and as a result traffic enforcement in this area is not likely a high priority given our officers are faced with more serious crimes each day.
One very serious concern is that accidents along this stretch of highway often require a road closure, blocking the only route through this area. When the road is closed, there is no detour for vehicles traveling there, and traffic must backtrack and go around which can take 4 to 6 hours of driving. This is a great inconvenience for travelers and may be disastrous if an emergency vehicle is required. If an ambulance has to take a several-hour detour to reach someone, that can easily prevent them from reaching them in time.
Many people have broached this concern to me, and some have had positive suggestions. It has been suggested to me several times there should be a bypass of the area, and local groups are rallying around this concept. A bypass of the Port Mouton / Port Joli area could remove some of the major traffic from that stretch of #3 highway, lessening the danger to local residents and travelers alike; it would also remove some of the burden of heavy commercial traffic from that insufficient stretch of highway. This could also lessen some of the speeding and dangerous driving through the lower-speed limit area in Port Mouton. And the old road would be there to serve as a detour route if and when needed.
I understand from correspondence I received earlier this Fall that the provincial Department has begun preliminary planning for this project, so that when funding materializes the work may proceed quickly.
I am hoping that under this funding partnership, an agreement can be reached to construct this much-needed bypass for this particular section of Highway #3/103. From releases we have seen I am optimistic that this project will indeed receive funding. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or to discuss this matter. I look forward to your positive response.
cc. MP Gerald Keddy, Bridgewater NS B4V 2S7 Premier Rodney MacDonald, PO Box 726_Halifax NS B3J 2T3 Min. Murray K. Scott, DOTIR, PO Box 186 Halifax NS B3J 2N2
Reasons 103 Bypass Should Proceed (Following is a letter that was sent by Port Joli resident, Heather Wharton, to Queens MLA Vicki Conrad in early 2007)
January 8, 2007
Vicki Conrad, MLA Queens 43 Carten Street Liverpool NS B0T 1K0
Dear Vicki, It was good to have a chance to chat before Christmas; I trust you had an enjoyable holiday season. Further to our conversation regarding the bypass of the 103 highway through the villages of Port Joli and Port Mouton, I would like to outline to you some of the many reasons this construction should proceed.
•Safety of the Public. This section of highway weaves along the coastline and because of the many sharp turns and speed variations, experiences a large number of accidents. Truck rollovers and cars simply leaving the highway on a tight turn are frequent occurrences. I have attempted to have speed limit lowered from 90 km/hr to 60 km/hr through Port Joli, for these very reasons. To no avail. Fatalities are apparently required for a reduction in the limit to be seriously considered. This was the impression that I was left with, when in contact with the local Department of Transportation office, some years back.
•Truck Traffic. Being the main thoroughfare from Yarmouth to Halifax, this section of highway carries large numbers of truck traffic. The recent addition of container traffic into the port of Shelburne has resulted in a jump in this traffic. I have to wonder the extent of time and expense to commerce to these trucks, having to gear down and crawl hills, generally creating unsafe driving conditions.
•Noise. The noise pollution associated with this traffic is abominable. I sometimes say that I lived 20 years in many large cities across the country, only to settle home in rural Nova Scotia and have it sound like I’m living on the 401!
•Pollution. This area is sensitive ecologically. I dread to think what damage could possibly being inflicted on the fragile climate balances required by flora such as lichens. There are two bird sanctuaries located along this stretch of highway. Groups such as the Port Joli Basin Conservation Society remain concerned with these issues, making a further case for bypassing this area.
•NS Government mandate. The Nova Scotia government continues to reiterate its commitment to having the 100 series highways bypass “small villages”, as noted in a newspaper article in the Chronicle Herald. Rodney MacDonald, in the January 2nd edition of the Advance, stated that “A smooth-running transportation system is key to economic well being of Nova Scotia. This (the Barrington bypass) is part of our government’s ongoing commitment to repave 2,000 kms of roads that will allow people and products to travel safely and efficiently.”
The above outlines some of the many reasons to advocate the construction of this bypass. It is my understanding that you are planning to meet with a member of the Transportation and Public Works Department early in the New Year. I would like to enlist your support of this initiative; that of moving forward on the scheduling and construction of the Port Joli/ Port Mouton bypass. This very subject keeps reappearing and disappearing on the government’s radar. It is my hope that you, as our representative, will actively pursue this issue. There are instances where the volume of traffic is monitored with meters; perhaps this could be investigated?
Salutations and good wishes for the coming year,
Heather Wharton 683-2298
MLA Vicki Conrad’s Letter To Minister Of Transportation (Note: This problem area and potential for a bypass is a priority that our MLA identified to the Nova Scotia Department Of Transportation back in late 2006 when she met with Doug Stewart, chief engineer for the department. At that time, he indicated money was not in the budget and that it would not be a priority for the department at this time. After receiving Heather Wharton’s letter in early 2007, Vicki did a followup with the minister, which resulted in her sending the following letter. Vicki is always interested in hearing about the concerns of constituents in this region.)
August 7,
Angus MacIsaac Minister of Transportation and Public Works P.O. Box 186 Halifax, NS B3J 2N2
Dear Minister MacIsaac, This letter is regarding one section of the main highway in the constituency of Queens. The 103/#3 highway through Queens is in serious need of attention. This is the sole route through Port Mouton and Port Joli, the road all residents and visitors must use to travel through the area. The road surface is in poor condition, in some areas the surface has seriously delaminated and is pocked with holes. Some corners and hills are absolutely dangerous, even with additional signage, the roads are still treacherous in the fog and especially for those who don't know the area well. The highway is quite narrow through this area, and also has small shoulders. There are few passing lanes and no pull-off areas. Another aspect of the problem is that the #3 highway through Port Mouton passes through a residential area with a current speed limit of 60 km per hour. This area is a known speeding zone, with many vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the community. It is a fairly remote area without a high population density, there is no longer a school, and as a result traffic enforcement in this area is not likely a high priority given our officers are faced with more serious crimes each day. Many people have broached this concern to me, and some have had positive suggestions. It has been suggested to me several times that the department could consider a bypass of the area, similar to the bypass that was recently completed near Barrington. A bypass of the Port Mouton/Port Joli area could remove some of the major traffic from that stretch of #3 highway, lessening the danger to local residents and travelers alike; it would also remove some of the burden of heavy commercial traffic from that insufficient stretch of highway. This could also lessen some of speeding and dangerous driving through the lower-speed limit area in Port Mouton. Something needs to be done and I am asking that your department undertake a study and thorough assessment to determine the feasibility of a bypass of this area, and to explore any other options you think might help the situation. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your department's considered response. Yours sincerely, Vicki Conrad, MLA PO Box 430 Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
c.c. Doug Stewart, Chief Engineer Highways Program Dept. of Transportation and Public Works PO Box 186, Halifax NS B3J 2N2
Don Zwicker, MODL Councillor Acting Chair of the Highways Committee 210 Aberdeen Rd, Bridgewater NS B4V 4G8
Dexter Says Improvements, Twinning Of 103 Must Be Among Infrastructure Priorities "Highway 103 threatens the safety of people on the South Shore and across the province every single day" - Darrell Dexter NDP Leader Darrell Dexter says beginning the twinning and improvements of the 103 Highway is long past due and the province's most dangerous road must be among the Premier's infrastructure announcements on Wednesday. "Too many Nova Scotians are being hurt, too many Nova Scotians are being killed," says Dexter. "This has gone on long enough, no more excuses. The time has come for the province to begin the twinning. Highway 103 threatens the safety of people on the south shore and across the province every single day." Ten deaths occurred on the highway in the past year. Dexter says that an action plan to address the most urgent safety concerns has to be part of the infrastructure package. For the 103, this includes additional long promised upgrades such as twinning to meet increasingly dangerous traffic volumes. "I recognize that this is a project that will take some time and expense to complete. The province may have to take it one piece at a time. But if it isn't started, you can be sure it will never be finished," says Dexter. "It is work that simply can no longer be delayed.” Dexter points out that he and NDP MLAs Vicki Conrad of Queens and Stirling Belliveau of Shelburne have already pointed out the need for construction to begin on the Port Joli by-pass section of the 103, a dangerous route that travels through residential and commercial areas.
January 30, 2009
Honorable Brooke Taylor Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal PO Box 186 Halifax, NS B3J 2N2 Sent by Fax to 1-902-424-0532
Dear Minister Taylor,
First, I want to again congratulate you to your appointment as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. I am sure the portfolio will be challenging as well as exciting. I am writing this letter on behalf of the constituents of Queens. As you are probably aware, over the past number of years there has been great concern about the safety of a section of Highway #3/#103 running through Queens County and into Shelburne County. This section of Highway #3/#103 from Broad River to Sable River has never been brought up to Series Standards even though it has been identified and on the books for upgrades and a by-pass for well over 30 years. You are probably aware of all of the particulars surrounding this stretch of Highway#3/#103 - the increased volume of traffic including the numerous transport trucks that pass through daily, the safety issues and the seriousness of having the highway completely blocked off for many hours when unfortunate accidents occur. Minister Taylor, for far too long this section of Highway #3/#103 has been on and off the list, so to speak. This vital artery serves as a gateway from Halifax through to Yarmouth and then the ferry links to the US. Many visitors use this route to come to NS and the transport of goods along this section of highway indicates that this piece of infrastructure is immensely important to the economic stability of this province. Many letters have been written by concerned citizens, many questions have been asked in the Legislature in Nova Scotia, the Region of Queens Municipality has addressed their concerns and given their support and many words have been spoken about the importance of having this section of Highway #3/#103 by-passed. Now it is time for action and commitment on the part of both the Federal and Provincial governments responsible for allocating infrastructure monies to make this section of Highway #3/#103 from Broad River to Sable River safer and more efficient. I look forward to receiving confirmation that this piece of infrastructure will be part of your Governments priorities and will be on the list of projects to be delivered in the very near future. Thank you for your time in addressing this urgent issue. Yours sincerely,
Vicki Conrad, MLA Queens
c.c. Hon. John Baird, Minister of Transport, Ottawa Hon. Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia Gerald Keddy, MP, South Shore – St. Margaret’s Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of ACOA Hon. Angus MacIsaac, Minister responsible for the Gateway Initiatives Hon. Michael Baker, Minister of Finance Dennis Bevington, NDP Critic Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities Megan Leslie, MP, Halifax
There’s Lots Of Room On That Sign Pole for “Roller Coaster Road” but Nova Scotia NDP Leader Darrell Dexter (born in Queens County) and our MLA Vicki Conrad want to see that appalling section of Highway 103 from Broad River to Sable River fixed. They were recently in the area having another look at the road which, except for the width and asphalt, is basically the same winding trail with dips and dives that it was when the road was first developed in the late 1700s. In those days, the twists and turns were okay for horseback riders but not for today’s traffic of 18-wheelers carrying heavy loads as well as tourists unaware that the relatively straight 100 series highways can suddenly, without warning, turn into an obstacle course. Winter time is even more treacherous than warmer months. LINK:Queens, Shelburne County Bypass Must Be A Priority Pictures of Roller Coaster Highway
