New road for Donkin
Province preparing highway for expected mine opening
It looks like Donkin will be getting a new highway for Christmas.
Geoff MacLellan , minister of transportation and infrastructure renewal, said work on a new Donkin Highway will start in the fall. “We’re 100 per cent committed to the Donkin Highway,” said the MLA for Glace Bay. “We’re sort of in the final design and planning stages, then the tender will be out.”
MacLellan said they’ll also be working with officials with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on the details for the road system in the area.
“Corridors of the Donkin Highway, then into Glace Bay and how we’re going to do the highway work from Donkin right through to Sydney. That’s in the planning stages now.”
However MacLellan said given the fact coal production will not be up and running for at least several months, the priority is seeing the Donkin Highway completed.
“In terms of the trucking (of coal) versus the barging option that’s something yet to be determined but at this point for sure, we know there’s going to be significant traffic back and forth to Donkin in the near future and we’re going to make sure the highway is ready.”
MacLellan said there’s a significant amount of damage to the paving that has to be replaced and they’ll look at structural increases in certain areas, making sure the roads are not only ready for the increased volume but also the increased weight of vehicles on the road.
He said it’s a structurally-sound highway, but because of the expected increase in traffic, additional testing will be done.
“Our engineers have a very good feel about the technical details and I certainly trust them to put together an adequate package to make sure this highway is ready not only for the buildup of equipment and material, but also when the production begins.”
“For me as a Cape Breather, it’s really good to be part of something that will be an investment on the part of taxpayers but also will make a lasting impact on the infrastructure that will support the mine,” he added.
MacLellan said there are a number of factors that need to be considered as plans for the area proceed including sidewalks.
He said the province doesn’t build sidewalks, however if sidewalks are part of the design, the province is prepared to work with the municipality before tenders are issued.
MacLellan says the Cline Group hopes to have Donkin mine in production early in 2016.
“That’s my understanding based on the conversations,” he said.
MacLellan said Cline officials are moving aggressively with the construction of the mine infrastructure.
“They are very aggressive in terms of their timeline, they want to get this mine opened as soon as possible,” he said. “They’re moving, they’re serious and want to get this done.’
He said the company is currently making investments with the equipment required to be underground in terms of safety and productivity and are getting gear certified and employees on the payroll to be in preproduction mode.