Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-1

A
The Federal infrastructure program and current Federal Provincial subsidiary agreement on highway construction should be combined for the purposes of an immediate start on the twinning and extension of Highway 125. Highway 125 is to become the circumferential highway for the new regional city. Residents must be able to quickly and safely travel from all sectors of the region. The mainland of Nova Scotia generally, and the Metro Halifax area in particular, is ablaze with road signs noting the new highway construction is the result of "your fuel tax working for you."

It is long overdue that the second largest metropolitan area in the province and the third largest in the Maritimes had its proportional share of highway construction. Construction on the announced twining from 105 to the beginning of current twinning on 125 and the end of current twinning on 125 and Sydney River should begin this fiscal year as previously announced. Planning should begin immediately for twinning of the remainder of 125 to the Grand Lake Road interchange and for the extension of 125 to New Waterford. A second interchange, north of Grand Lake Road should be constructed to allow for the construction of a highway to run parallel to the Devco railway to provide truck access to the International Coal Piers and Sydney Steel Docks to facilitate the loading and unloading of bulk materials. Construction should begin in 1995 for a 1997 completion of this circumferential highway system. Additionally an exit/connector ramp should be constructed to Victoria Road or route 28 east of the current Sydney boundary to facilitate an alternate exit for the Whitney Pier area of Sydney.

B
Inner city reconstruction should be targeted specifically for high traffic thoroughfares and connector roads before that of residential streets. The reconstruction of Kings Road and Prince Street/Welton Street in Sydney should be given immediate priority as these streets accommodate the highest traffic flows in the new city and have the highest concentration of commerce in their immediate environs. Main entrances to commercial nodes within the new city should be given second priority. This model would use Glace Bay and Dominion as the exemplar, citing the reconstruction of Reserve Street and Main Street respectively.

C
The traffic authority for the regional city should be given the immediate responsibility for new signs for the highway system. All major intersections should have clear signage that easily leads commercial traffic and non-resident tourists to areas of interest within the County.

Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-2

A
Planning should begin immediately for the installation of collector sewer lines in the communities that have numerous sewer outfalls in the harbours of Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford and Louisbourg. Simultaneously, environmental and engineering plans should be finalized for the construction of a series of sewage treatment facilities within the County. The Town of New Waterford's collector system permits an immediate start on that localized system. The goal for the city by the year 2000 should be to either have zero untreated sewage entering the coastal waters or be well underway with the construction of a regional system.

B
The current controlling depth for Sydney Harbour is 11.3 metres. The Harbour should be dredged to a controlling depth of 14 metres to allow for full loading of Panamax size vessels. The dredging would permit full loading of vessels in excess of 60,000 tonnes. This dredging increases the economic viability of exporting Cape Breton Coal as well as increases the potential shipment of other bulk commodities.

C
The government wharf in Sydney should be dredged and expanded southward to accommodate larger vessels or more than one at a time.

D
The Sydney Boardwalk should be extended north to the expanded Government wharf and south to Wentworth Park.

E
The North Sydney waterfront redevelopment should proceed.

F
The inner harbour of Glace Bay should be dredged and designed as an extension of Renwick Park, south of the Commercial Street Bridge.

G
The land situated on or near the boardwalk of Louisbourg Harbour should become the focal point for a redesigned inner harbour which focuses on tourism.

Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-3

A
The Municipal Government should indicate its immediate intention to own and operate the Sydney Airport following the federal release of the operation. The Municipal Government should investigate and implement a user pay surcharge, similar to that now in operation in Vancouver International Airport to permit operation at or above current levels. This early statement of intent would provide a positive signal to the carriers currently operating from the facility and others indicating interest to begin service.

B
The regional carriers currently service other Atlantic centres--St.John's, Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and Halifax--with jet service connecting them to Montreal, Ottawa, and Newark. If the convention industry is to grow within the region, Sydney must have access to larger aircraft. The carriers should be petitioned to operate a same-plane jet service from Sydney to Montreal or Ottawa. The regional Municipality should indicate the importance of this service for the growth of the tourism cluster and its intention to pursue all reasonable means to acquire the service.

Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-4

A
The Regional Municipality should do whatever is reasonably within its powers to ensure that the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia railway remains successful. A continued rail link is vital to current and future economic growth and development.

B
The traffic Authority for the Regional Municipality should encourage the Railway to operate its main freight service outside of peak traffic times within the Sydney corridor.

[1994] [1995]