Reaction: Revised Hwy 11 bypass plans revealed

On July 30th at the Rodd between 4pm and 8pm, the changes to the proposed bypass of Route 11 at King Street were unveiled by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The original plans had King Street cut off, with the access the new road far from sight of the businesses in the area. Traffic to the downtown, if they get off at that exit, would have had to go through the industrial park. The new plans address that issue, and may have other benefits according to the designers and a local MLA. But it does little to allay the fears of businesses that will lose drive-by traffic

The blockage of King Street had been an issue for Modular Fabrication who transport large loads to wharf, and lobbied for changes to the plan that would not cut off King Street and their direct access to the wharf. John Walsh of Modular fabrication made a trip to Fredericton in April with three other business owners to meet with Transportation Minister Claude Williams to discuss alternatives to the initial plan.

Walsh said that the millions of dollars the city and province have spent spent on King Street has made it easier for his business to transport large projects to the wharf, and he would hate to see it blocked off. “We have to start promoting our wharf and our infrastructure if we want business here to grow.”

Mavis Williamson of the Downtowns association, said her group also sent a letter requesting a change in the design that would allow more direct access to the downtown from the new exit. She said she is happier with the new design.

Wesley Cabel, owner of the Portage Restaurant, expects that the changes could mean a 40% drop in business because of the drastic decrease in traffic by his door. In a recent interview he said he doubts his business could survive if that happens.

After the meeting in April with the minister, Cabel was more hopeful. “A lot of good suggestions were made at the meeting for the existing road,” Cable said after the meeting. Cable said that he found the meeting to be productive.

“The government was very receptive,” Cable said. “They understand how much this project will set back all the businesses on route 11. They seemed to agree that we are going backwards by going around the business district.”

But maybe they weren't as receptive as Cabel thought.

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Matt Rushton was one of the engineers at the unveiling. He was asked about the changes, if the department took into consideration the issues that businesses along the route will have with the loss of drive-by traffic.

"It's a compromise," said Rushton. "They won't have the direct traffic going past their business. We always look at any concerns raised, and this is the time to do it. It doesn't cost much to draw lines on a paper. Once the machines start running, that's when it gets expensive." The project is going to cost $60 million.

"As long as it meets our standards, we put it in. But it's a balancing act, and it's tough to please everyone."

The people the new plan will not please will be all the other operations along route 11 that rely on the traffic to drive their businesses.

Laurie Patterson, owner of Patterson sales and Service Ltd, said in a previous story that he thought if they really wanted to make the road safer, they could do so and save money by putting in passing lanes. He said the road is busy at certain times of the year, and slower traffic causes problems. but he is also worried about the effect on his business. He estimated about 50% of his business comes from outside the area, and his location on the highway is key to visibility.

“Bathurst, Campbellton, Caraquet. That’s where all this stuff goes, and that’s because people are seeing as they pass through.”

Minister Trevors sees changes as very positive

Local MLA and Cabinet Minister Robert Trevors was at last night's unveiling, and said he felt they made a major advance with the changes to the plan, but realizes there are other issues than can be addressed.

In response to a comment made by Ted Ross who was there to see the new plans, Trevors said he thought the new location of the exit, combined with signage will go a long way to improving visibility for the businesses who feel they will be effected.

"Our government worked for two years on a new signage policy. It doesn't cost a lot to get on those green signs you see at exits," said Trevors.

"You don't have to be McDonald's to get on those signs. Businesses should get better acquainted with the policy. A lot of people complain that there is no signage, but I said to the Claude (Williams) that we worked two years developing this policy and it seems like no one knows about it."

"Before, the old symbols were for example a knife and fork, now they can be more specific. I have been getting a lot of questions about it, and I feel the new signage policy will help people. They should contact DIT and look into it."

One of the other improvements to the new plan comes with the elevation needed for the overpass at King Street. "That overpass will be high enough to accommodate anything that travels on New Brunswick highways," Trevors said. "That height of the overpass puts all the southbound traffic high enough that they will be able to see the industrial park and the businesses near the highway."

Trevors says two property owners will be affected by the new plans, and they will have to be talked to. The PLC Animal Hospital and the Church at the end of King Street. The off ramp for south-bound traffic will curl around and come to a set of lights across the street from the Irving near Maher Street. North-bound traffic will exit the new highway and come to a stop sign on King Street. It will have to be determined at a later date if the old route 11 will be renamed King Street by the city.

"The previous session when the first plan was revealed was instrumental in the changes that you see now," said Trevors. "There has even been more discussions with people from the Napan are who are pointing out issues that may not have been considered." Trevors said that this project may even draw attention to work that needs to be done on the North Napan Road.