Safety Improvements Scheduled for Avonport Interchange, Highway 101

Department of Transportation and Public Works (to Oct. 23 2007)

July 27, 2005 3:38 PM

Nova Scotia's first modern traffic roundabout and new on- and off-ramps will soon result in a safer intersection at Exit 9 near Avonport on Highway 101.

The province issued a call for tenders today, July 27, for the construction of the new roundabout and for other safety improvements at the exit. This project will be jointly funded by Canada and Nova Scotia under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

The improvements involve the construction of new westbound on- and off-ramps at Exit 9. The ramps will replace the existing intersection which gives traffic only a short distance to get up to highway speed when entering Highway 101 from Trunk 1.

The new ramps will connect to a new roundabout which will also be handling traffic from Trunk 1 and Oak Island Road.

Roundabouts differ from rotaries because the traffic that is in the roundabout always has the right of way.

Safety of the eastbound off-ramp of Highway 101 will also be improved by extending the length of the slow-down lane that connects with Gaspereau River Road.

The tender will close on Friday, Aug. 12 and the project is scheduled for completion in July 2006. This will allow settlement of the base for the new ramps over the winter.

The project is part of the province's ongoing effort to improve safety on Highway 101.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

     Nova Scotia's first roundabout will be located at Exit 9

near Avonport on Highway 101.

     The province issued a call for tenders today (July 27th) for

the construction of the new roundabout, new on- and off-ramps,

and other safety improvements at Exit 9.

     The new on- and off-ramps will give vehicles more room to

speed up and slow down as they enter and leave Highway 101. The

new roundabout will allow for smooth merging of traffic between

the new ramps, Trunk 1 and Oak Island Road.

     Roundabouts differ from rotaries because the traffic that is

in the roundabout has the right of way.

     The cost of the project will be shared by the province and

the federal government through the Canada Strategic

Infrastructure Fund.

     The project is scheduled for completion next summer.

-30-

Contact: Steve Smith
         Transportation and Public Works
         902-424-2233
         E-mail: smithest@gov.ns.ca