Highway 101 - Margeson Drive Interchange & Extension | Completed

[DigitalNinja]

I was driving to my friends house today and noticed some signs up and tress cut down for the new ramps just past the lucas ville road. Looks like this will eliviate some of the traffic getting into Sackville during supper time.

[Dmajackson]

Yep thats the Maroon Drive Interchange in Upper Sackville. I believe its a five lane wide road that will connect to Sackville Drive removing some traffic on Beaverbank Rd. The interchange itself is just a standard diamond shape.

I think its on one of my maps but I'll check in a little while.

I didn't relize they were starting this so soon. I thought it was going to be begun after the Larry Uteck Interchange.

[Dmajackson]

Here's the general location (Live Search Maps (http://maps.live.com/?v=2&encType=1&cid=155D085CBC213868!271)). But please keep in mind its not accurate.

Also included is a connection to Westmorland Ridge, the removal of Old Sackville Extension Drive southern junction with Sackville Drive and an extension of Victory Lane to Maroon Drive.

[DigitalNinja]

I can't view it on my Mac :(

[Aya_Akai]

I can't view it on my Mac :(

I can lol.

It works great... there are a few things that need updating on there though!!

[Dmajackson]

I can lol.

It works great... there are a few things that need updating on there though!!

If you're talking about the map itself yes I'll admit I'm missing a crap load of stuff on there.

Windows Live and Google really need to update their images sometime soon. I think they're from 2005 or something right now.

[hfx_chris]

Windows Live and Google really need to update their images sometime soon. I think they're from 2005 or something right now.
Depends on the area, since it's all a mish-mash of imagery from various dates stitched together.
Most of Windows Live uses imagery that appears to be taken of the Halifax-Dartmouth area from last summer, but you're right Googles imagery on maps.google.ca hasn't been updated in a while. They do have the more up to date imagery in Google Earth however, you just have to use the historical imagery option.

[Spitfire75]

Do we know when this is expected to be finished? I can't seem to find the case on Halifax's website.

[Dmajackson]

Do we know when this is expected to be finished? I can't seem to find the case on Halifax's website.

I don't know about a completion date but the project is on a provincial highway and being funded by the province so I would try "www.gov.ns.ca".

[Dmajackson]

10.1.4 Margeson Drive Cost Sharing Agreement (1.2 Mb) (http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/090616ca1014.pdf)

This is the cost-sharing agreement between HRM and the Province for the interchange and construction of the first phase of Margeson Drive between Highway 101 and Trunk 1.

The last page on the document has a map of the future road.

BTW This thread should be renamed "Margeson Drive Interchange" and should be moved to the Transportation and Infastructure section.

[Dmajackson]

So according to my sources this interchange will be open this Fall (2010).

Similar to the Larry Uteck Interchange the two intersections created by the ramps will have roundabouts installed.

And the Park 'N Ride lot will be 350 spots and when opened the Sackville MetroLink will extend up to here.

[Dmajackson]

The overpass is now half done out there.

Man the overpass is at a steep angle to the highway.

[DigitalNinja]

I don't know if the following is new thread worthy. But there is an area by the margeson drive over pass (Right behind sackville heights elementary) That is getting a new subdivision as well. About 420 housing units are to be put in there with 2 4 story (Cookie cutter) Apartments. I can see this development from my house. I can't find a map, but here is a document on it.

http://www.halifax.ca/commcoun/nwcc/documents/nwcc33suppinfo.pdf

[Dmajackson]

Middle Sackville to get traffic roundabout
Halifax News Net
By Yvette d’Entremont-The Weekly News

The community of Middle Sackville will be home to a provincial traffic roundabout by the end of this year.
During a Northwest Community Council meeting in April, the province’s senior highway design engineer Keith Boddy shared plans for the Margeson Drive Interchange and Connector with a packed audience gathered at Millwood High School.
“Our plans are coming to fruition. Ramps and the connection to the highway will be done this season,” Boddy told the crowd. “The Interchange to Trunk 1 has to be completed by November. Asphalt has to be down. The (entire) project has to be done before March 31 or we don’t get federal funding.”
Boddy was quick to assure everyone the proposed roundabout bore absolutely no resemblance to the Mic Mac Rotary, but pointed instead to successful and similar models in Avonport and Windsor.
He shared a series of projected images and explained the differences between rotaries and roundabouts. He also noted that statistics demonstrate these kinds of installations are significantly safer than traditional intersection/interchange systems.
“There are seven of these style interchanges going forward (in Nova Scotia) this year,” Boddy explained. “It is seen as one of the safest types of intersections/interchanges in the world.”
The roundabout plan presented to the community is designed so vehicles must yield on entry and proceed when there’s a safe gap.
“If someone blows through a yield, you have a sideswipe or rear end collision. At a slower operating speed, collisions are a lot less severe than getting hit head-on or t-boned at a traditional intersection,” Boddy said.
Vehicles on the Middle Sackville roundabout could expect an estimated delay time of between six and 12 seconds. Boddy suggested that might be welcome in a growing area where traffic delays are notorious.
In addition, the roundabout’s proposed design ensures that it will function for about 20 years. Boddy said the roadway would remain open while under construction, but he didn’t expect traffic delays would be significant.
The roundabout will be located on a Middle Sackville portion of Sackville Drive at Margeson Drive, not far from the Atlantic Gardens property.
Local MLA Mat Whynott said when he first learned about the planned roundabout, he was worried. But he quickly came onboard and believes the majority of local residents also support the project.
“I’ve been out canvassing and informing people on the Sackville side of the riding, and so far 99 per cent have no problems with it as long as the project gets done,” Whynott said last week. “Education around how to use roundabouts is important and is really the key here.”
The vast majority of public speakers with questions after Boddy’s April 22 presentation were in favour of the idea, although some expressed their concerns about getting used to a roundabout.
Whynott said he’s focusing on public awareness and is anxious to see the federal/provincial cost-shared project move ahead.
“The project has to be done by March, and it doesn’t make sense to be putting pavement down in mid January,” he said. “The whole project will be done by December, 2010.”
The Sackville Drive roundabout is a provincial project cost shared with the federal government. However, HRM is also considering the installation of roundabouts at four downtown Halifax sites.
Residents were unhappy with municipal officials who tried last week to explain the rationale behind one proposed roundabout at the corner of Novalea, Duffus and Devonshire streets.
Last month municipal councillors unanimously supported, in principle, the idea of roundabouts in HRM. Regional council will determine whether such projects proceed.

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca

[DigitalNinja]

Before I left they did not even start the ramps yet. Any idea if this has been started now?

[Dmajackson]

Before I left they did not even start the ramps yet. Any idea if this has been started now?

I've been through the area about once a month for awhile now (and will be for two more years at least). The last time I checked the ramps had not begun construction yet.

[Canadian_Bacon]

I go by this often. They have the overpass up, but it looks like they're leaving it for now. All the machines (excavators etc.) are gone. Nothing has been done to the site for awhile now.

[DigitalNinja]

That sucks, was hoping this would be complete soon.

[Dmajackson]

Crews are back at the site putting the base down for the ramps.

[Canadian_Bacon]

Yea, the machines are back and have been for a couple weeks now. They appear to be working full steam on this, and making good progress.

[Dmajackson]

Halifax News Net article (http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/News/2010-10-20/article-1863083/Construction-of-Sackvilles-roundabout%2C-interchange-on-schedule/1)

Construction of Sackville's roundabout, interchange on schedule
Published on October 20th, 2010
Yvette d'Entremont

http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/media/photos/unis/2010/10/20/photo_1220685_resize_article.jpg

The roundabout and off-ramp project under construction in Middle Sackville is expected to open to traffic by Dec. 31.

“The bridge construction is already complete on the 101 (highway) and construction of the interchange ramps and connector road are underway at this point,” MLA Mat Whynott said last week. “Those should be done soon, and the project is still on track to open at the end of December.”

...

The article goes onto to explain the roundabout for the corner of Margeson and Sackville Drive will start construction soon and a base will be installed for a Park 'N Ride on the Lucasville side.

- DJ

[Dmajackson]

The roundabout today;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5277945751_056e60244d_z.jpg

[Keith P.]

I presume that the accident victims along with the EMS equipment and the burning hulks of wrecked vehicles are out of frame to the right? ;)

[Dmajackson]

This is now complete and opened to the public (well from Sackville Drive to Hwy 101 at least). Some shots I snapped late last week;

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5883127029_313c600208_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5038/5883128877_549a830f56_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5883130941_17374717e3_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5883697374_082cb528c1_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5311/5883135549_e38f2dae0a_z.jpg

PS this thread should be in the Transportation & Infrastructure Subsection and titled; (Sackville) Margeson Drive & Interchange | Completed

[Keith P.]

We seem to have roundabout-itis in Nova Scotia. This one looks ridiculously tight.

[worldlyhaligonian]

We seem to have roundabout-itis in Nova Scotia. This one looks ridiculously tight.

I like it... I mean, I prefer roundabouts compared to waiting for a light.

[Dmajackson]

Public consultations are coming up for the extension of Margeson Drive to the south of the Highway 101 (to Sackville River and eventually onto Lucasville Road).

MARGESON DRIVE - PROJECT PLAN (http://www.halifax.ca/traffic/documents/MargesonDrive-PROJECTPLAN.pdf)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

"Margeson Drive is a collector road which will connect Trunk 1 in Middle Sackville to Lucasville Road in the vicinity of Atlantic Playland. In future, the road may be extended northward to Beaver Bank. From Highway 101 to the Sackville River, the roadway will be controlled access with well-spaced intersections and no driveways. From the Sackville River to Lucasville Road, the road will be built as a subdivision street with driveways along it. The road will be two lanes wide with bike lanes. It is expected
that the posted speed limit will be 50 km/h on the subdivision street portion and 70 km/h on the controlled access portion."

[Dmajackson]

Just to let everyone know I have moved this thread to the transportation & infrastructure thread and renamed it to be more clear.

[DORAL21]

Just wondering if there's any more word on what might be happening with the commercial lots in front of Sunset Ridge off the 101?

I heard that a few condo buildings will be going up in Sunset Ridge too.

[DORAL21]

I recently noticed on the hwy sign off margeson dr, exit 2A there's indicator and arrow signs suggestion:gas station, lodging and restaraunts. Any word on things going up around this area?

[rkannegi]

I believe that ALL of Margeson Drive should be 70km/h (or faster) limited access and that it should run all the way from Highway 213 (Hammonds Plains Road) to the north end of Beaver Bank. I don't believe that any part of this corridor should be a subdivision street, otherwise we'll end up with a road that's no better than Caldwell Road in Dartmouth with cross-town arterial traffic conflicting with local residential driveway traffic. Room should also be set aside within the ultimate right-of-way for an HOV corridor and eventual rapid transit provision (BRT, with it upgraded to LRT if it ever gets busy enough), if the need ever arises. Strict anti-sprawl land use planning will also be a must (Have a mix of high and low density of appropriate proportions to the terrain and set a maximum urban/suburban fringe line in order to preserve essential wilderness land for outdoor activities, such as hunting and camping and also for wildlife protection). Also, for crying out loud, keep unnecessary development off of flood plains!

Regards,

Richard Kannegiesser

[Dmajackson]

HRM has provided an update on the Margeson Drive interchange. The plans haven't had any revisions as of yet. In the public information meeting comments section it appears Waterstone residents are furious about the plan especially about the possibiity it may not all open at once leaving cross-town traffic to use Waterstone Run for some time.

Margeson Drive Update (http://www.halifax.ca/commcoun/documents/MargesonCompiledreportOS.pdf)