NEW BRIDGE AT ERNST MILL
The old Ernst Mill Bridge on Lake Major Road is about to be replaced. As first reported back in October 2009 (Issue #143), this project was one of a few being funded, in part, by the Federal - Provincial Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.

The aged wooden crib bridge will be replaced with a precast concrete span that will include two 3.7 metre driving lanes, a 2.1 metre sidewalk and a 3.0 metre trail crossing. The addition of the sidewalk and the multi-use trail crossing will provide safer passage. The project work also includes reinstatement of an adjacent road, environment and sediment control. All environmental approvals have been secured. The use of a precast bridge will not only fast track the installation process, thus reducing the inconvenience to residents, but will also reduce environmental disruption at the site.

The entire $1.25 Million project will take about 14 weeks from start to finish. More details will be available closer to the start of construction which is expected to begin in early July and be finished by the mid October 2010.

The detour route to and from North Preston will be via Hwy #107, Hwy #7 and Upper Governor Street. The contractor (Amber Construction) will be required to maintain the detour route for dust control and pot-hole grading. All emergency services [ fire, police, EMS, EMO, DNR, Halifax Water and the NS Dept of Transportation ] have been notified of the planned detour.

The RCMP have also agreed to increase their presence in the area for the duration of the detour. Metro Transit will be adjusting bus route # 61 during this time. HRM Council awarded the tender at its meeting of May 4th, 2010, (see link) :
www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/100504ca1111.pdf

MORE STREET PAVING COMING
There will be even more progress on the paving of various "J" Class subdivision gravelled streets in the Porters Lake, West Chezzetcook and Three Fathom Harbour area.

The following 18 local roads will be done this year : Sandy Point Road, Mannette Court, Joan Elizabeth Way, James Roy Drive, Earl Court, Meadowview Drive, Doyle Drive, Roblea Drive, Sean's Lane, Evergreen Crescent, Melinda Drive, David Allen Drive, Roma Drive, Keating Drive, George Redmond Drive, Bernice Drive, Emerald Drive and Spruce Court.

The work is expected to be completed by October 31st. A priority list of roads was established based upon a systematic approach of grouping a network of streets in close geographical clusters that takes into account the degree of maintenance difficulty for each of them. Also this bulk tendering approach should realize some cost savings as well.

I am grateful to see that the new provincial government as sustained its funding level for the continuation of the Nova Scotia's Aid to Municipalities Cost-Share Paving Program. Great success has been achieved since HRM put into place a new paving priority regime in 2006. We are well on our way in addressing the remainder of the gravelled streets in the greater Porters Lake region over the next couple of years. I have been lobbying the Provincial Government; past and present, to consider expanding the paving program to include other rural roads and local streets that have different road classifications - Class "G", "H" & "I". These types of roads look and function just the same as a "J" Class Subdivision street. Hopefully the Provincial Government will concur with this request.

MORE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
I am proud to see the continuation of the centre lane widening of Main Street from the Broom Road / McLaughlin Road intersection to Riley Road. New concrete sidewalks and bike lanes will be incorporated with this construction phase. Also the rough section of Hwy # 7 from Riley Road to Cherry Brook Road will be re-paved as well.

Furthermore, HRM will be paving some more local gravelled subdivision streets in the Westphal area of our District. Those streets are as follows : Chamberlain Drive, Lenora Lane, Bainbridge Court, Lorne Drive, and the Chater Drive connector.

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  
H.R.M. DISTRICT 3 COUNCILLOR
PRESTON/LAWRENCETOWN/CHEZZETCOOK

1 Chamberlain Drive, Westphal, NS, B2Z 1B1
829-2465 ( Home Office ) 483-0705 ( Cell )
490-4050 ( Hfx. City Hall ) 829-3620 ( Fax )
david@hendsbee.ns.ca & hendsbd@halifax.ca