2021-03-31

Town awards connector road engineering design, part of major interchange work

by KEITH CORCORAN

  • <p>SOURCE: PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA</p><p>A rendering of the interchange and connector road work destined for between the Cookville and Wileville exits.</p>

A Bedford-based surveying and engineering firm will be paid more than $400,000 to examine below-surface water, sewer, electricity and communications services associated with a new connector road in Bridgewater, which is part of the multi-million dollar highway interchange project planned for this area.

The town received five proposals for the work. The six-figure cost for Design Point Engineering and Surveying to calculate the underground infrastructure will be deducted from the town's contribution to the Exit 12A job. The province is responsible for designing the road itself.

Bridgewater budgeted $685,000 toward contract administration and construction services for the connector road. The engineering procurement was awarded March 22 during a town council meeting.

During the meeting, Mayor David Mitchell described the connector road as an exciting next step in the interchange project.

The new interchange will connect the business park on the town's west side to 50 hectares of developable property to the north, which Bridgewater owns. The town also maintains that the job makes the business park more accessible and attractive for investment and future growth.

Town engineering officials Larry Hood and Larry Feener commented in a written report to council that it should be noted staff requested provisional costs for several items typical for design of this nature.

"The rationale being it is anticipated [the province's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal] will be conducting preliminary design programs including survey and geotechnical that may be available for use. In order to prevent duplication of work and unnecessary costs, staff wanted the flexibility to select from the list of provisional items as deemed necessary to supplement and complement [Transportation's] available information."

The new connector road will branch from the north end of St. Phillips Street, easterly into undeveloped lands, then directs southbound across a new overpass before linking to Logan Road in the business park.

Construction of the new Highway 103 interchange between the Cookville and Wileville exits is one of the major projects designated for this area in fiscal year 2021-22.

The $50 million, cost-shared project starts this spring and is expected to finish in 2022.

A new bridge, ramps, roundabouts and connector roads make up significant aspects of the job.

The town's spending commitment toward the overall interchange project is $8.4 million, and includes work on intersection changes and road realignments in the business park.

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