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Capital City Traffic Study Recommendations Presented
Fredericton (February 18, 2010) – A third bridge for Fredericton, a Route 8 overpass to allow the extension of Smythe Street and wider use of roundabouts are just some of the $150-million worth of recommendations - to be cost-shared by the Municipality and the Provincial Government - contained in the Capital City Traffic Study presented today to the City of Fredericton’s Transportation Committee.
“This study gives us a roadmap of how to develop our transportation infrastructure for the next decade and beyond,” said Councillor Tony Whalen, Transportation Committee Chairman. “It is a logical and carefully researched document that will ensure our traffic system keeps up with the city’s current as well as anticipated growth and development.”
The major expenditure recommended in the next two years involves a $1.6 million upgrade to Regent Street and Queen Street. Among the study’s other short-term priorities are the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Forest Hill Road and the ramp coming off the south end of the Princess Margaret Bridge, and at several other locations.
In the two-to-five-year term the report recommends a $12-million investment on the Marysville bypass within City’s limits; a $3-million roundabout at the north end of the Princess Margaret Bridge and a $2.5 million Two Nations Crossing interchange coupled with the elimination of the southbound left turn lane at the Ring-Road-Maple Street intersection.
In the five-10 year term the report calls for a roundabout at the bottom of Smythe Street and an extension of Smythe Street to Bishop Drive at the top. Other intermediate recommendations include: an eastbound right turn lane at Woodstock Road/Hanwell Road; a multi-million-dollar upgrade of Regent Street from Aberdeen Street to Brunswick Street; the conversion of Devonshire Drive to two-way at Union Street with an additional northbound through lane and westbound left turn lane; and a $3-million widening of Hanwell Road south of Bishop Drive and more.
In the longer term, the report recommends construction of a $110-million third bridge for Fredericton. It calls on the City and the Province to start developing location and configuration options. Also in the longer term, the report recommends: a $7-million upgrade of the Regent – Prospect intersection and widening of the Route 8 overpass; a northbound right turn lane at Marysville Bypass/Greenwood Drive; a southbound double left turn lane at Regent Street and Arnold Drive as well as roundabouts at Ring Road/Brookside Drive, Union Street/Gibson Street and Riverside Drive/Watters Drive.
While applauding the City for promoting the use of City Transit and its extensive trail system and the implementation of bike lanes, the report recommends the City encourage park & ride, consider subsidized transit passes for provincial employees as well as offer incentives to the private sector to do likewise. The report also concludes that the Westmorland Street Bridge is not a good candidate for a permanent reversible lane system. A review of pedestrian crossings determined that the City does a good job at providing pedestrian crossing control at high pedestrian activity areas.
ADI Limited was awarded a $150,000 contract in July 2008 to update the City’s ten-year-old traffic planning document. The study was co-funded by the Province of New Brunswick and the City of Fredericton.
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Media Contact: John White, Communications, City of Fredericton (506) 460-2227
