News Release
New Bi-Hi Ramps Soon Open to Traffic
(Thursday, November 22/2001)-- District 15 Councillor Russell Walker will officially open the new $2 million traffic ramps connecting the Bicentennial Highway to Bayers Road during a brief ceremony tomorrow at 3 p.m.
Councillor Walker said the ramps are the second major step in helping to improve traffic flow from the Bi-centennial Highway and others areas to Bayers Road. The first phase involved the widening of Titus Street, between Main Avenue and the former Halifax West High School, to four-lane.
The Councillor said the ramp project, which was jointly funded by HRM and the Province, was among the recommendations contained in the 1994 City of Halifax Transportation Study.
He said " This is a major step in improving traffic flow into the city, but more importantly, these new ramps should reduce the heavy traffic congestion that area residents have had to endure for the past number of years."
The news ramps are designed to improve traffic circulation on Joseph Howe Drive, Dutch Village Road, and Bayers Road; reduce traffic volumes at the Bayers Road/ Dutch Village Road intersection; and provide an enhanced connection between the Bicentennial Highway and Joseph Howe Drive.
Designed by O'Halloran Campbell Consultants Limited, the project was funded by HRM and the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works.
"I am extremely pleased that we are able to work with HRM to cost-share this important project," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "There's been a significant increase in traffic volumes in the metro region, in particular on Highway 102, and it's encouraging to know we're at the point where the ramps will soon be open to the public."
The new intersection from the Bi-Hi at Joe Howe Avenue is constructed using Portland cement concrete to accommodate truck traffic and reduce maintenance costs. In addition,
the CN railway crossing is the first of its kind in HRM to be designed using the new proposed Transport Canada regulations for at- grade railway crossings.
(The ceremonial opening will take place at the new intersection of the Bi-Hi and Joseph Howe Drive, beginning at 3 p.m.. on Friday, November 23, 2001. The ramps will not be officially opened to traffic until 6 a.m. on Saturday.)
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Councillor Russell Walker
(902) 497-7215
Rick Paynter
Manager, Design/Construction
(902)490-4845
