Trail work stalls Ingramport-Highway 103 connector opening

Drivers will have to wait until the new year touse a $17-million interchange connectingIngramport, N.S.,nearSt. Margarets Bay, with Highway 103.

The much-delayed project has hit another snag, this time to accommodate a trail that crosses the connector.

"That was one of a number of options and that was the one ultimately the community and local stakeholders wanted,"Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan said.

The newExit 5 A on Highway 103 was supposed to open in September, butadding the trail overpass is expected to push the opening to early January.

The work, being done by Dexter Construction,alsoaddsanother $1.06million to the project. The new estimation is$17million a big jump from the$10million estimate in 2010.

'Worth the investment'

Securing extra money from the government's Treasury Board took some time,MacLellansaid.

"It's worth the investment. I know it is a little bit of extra time and people are frustrated;they want to see it open. We'll get there as soon as we can. It's going to be the right thing for everyone once its finished," he said.

The overpass ensures that the ATV riders, bicyclists, pedestrians and others who use the rails-to-traildon't get run over where the trail crosses the new road.

Paving is expected to beginthis week.Once paving is finished and abutments are completed, a pre-cast steel bridge will be dropped in place. The overpass must be high enough to allow a transport truck to pass underneath.

Safety issue

Anne Patrick, who chairs the St. Margarets Bay Area Rails to Trails Association, says thebridge is much safer than a level crossing.

"Since the connector is now considered or classified as part of the 100-series highway,the trail had to pass over the connector with an overpass as opposed to an on-grade intersection. We always had grave concerns about an on grade intersection, sothis is our favoured option," Patrick says.

"The overpass, I think, will be long term the safest way to get across the connector. It's been a very lengthy process, but we look forward to it being completed."