New access road to promote trade, export at Saint John port being built

A new access road is being built off Route 1 near the Saint John Harbour Bridge to accommodate over-sized loads using the Port of Saint John.

"The new road will help to promote trade and economic development opportunities for the port and the province as a whole," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams. "I am pleased we have been able to partner with the Saint John Port Authority in bringing this initiative forward."

Construction of the 60-metre-long (200 feet) is road underway with completion expected by the end of December.

The work also includes the relocation of nearby infrastructure such as lighting, signage, storm sewer and the removal of median barrier sections.

When complete, eastbound over-sized loads will have smooth access directly to and from the port. Westbound over-sized loads currently reach the port by changing direction at the Lorneville Interchange.

Discussions about improving access to the Port of Saint John began with the recent reconfiguration of the Saint John Harbour Bridge and the removal of toll booths.

"We are fortunate to have an excellent relationship with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure," said Jim Quinn, president and chief executive officer of the Saint John Port Authority. "When we made the department aware of the logistical concerns our stakeholders had in moving over-sized loads through the new configuration at the Harbour Bridge, it was quick to come to the table with solutions that are now being put in place."

The transfer to the provincial government from the federal government of the administration and control of the section of Route 1 on which the bridge is located rendered the section of this highway fronting the Saint John Port Authority as Level 1 controlled access, in conformance with Regulation 94-97 of the Highway Act. The provincial government amended this regulation to reduce the level of controlled access designation to Level 4 from Level 1 on this section of highway to allow commercial access to the port.

The bridge is the main highway connection for international trade conducted at the Port of Saint John.