$16.5-million project
New Minas Granite Drive Highway 101 interchange slated to open this fall
The new highway interchange under construction in New Minas is on schedule, and should be open to the motoring public sometime this fall.
In addition to an overpass, the Granite Drive interchange project includes the gravelling and paving of four new ramps that will form a diamond-shaped interchange and a 900-metre connector road, the construction of three roundabouts, signage, guardrails, highway lighting and an underground drainage system. One roundabout is being built at the end of Granite Drive and Silver Fox Avenue and one at each of the two intersections of the on-off ramps.
“Upon completion of the project, the community of New Minas will be directly connected to Highway 101,” Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal media relations advisor Marla MacInnis said. “This will reduce travel times for emergency responders and all other road users, will reduce congestion on Commercial Street and better manage the traffic volumes in that area.”
Construction on the interchange began in the winter of 2017 and is expected to be completed and opened to the public in the fall of 2018. MacInnis said the project is on schedule — and on budget.
Both Dexter Construction and Brycon Construction have done work on the project. Dexter Construction is currently completing paving and subgrade work under a contract valued at $6.7 million.
The total estimated cost of the project, which is being cost shared by the federal and provincial governments, is $16.5 million. The Village of New Minas is contributing between $700,000 and $800,000 to extend sewer and water services and for sidewalks. The project will help enable potential development in the vicinity of the interchange and south of Highway 101.