Extension of Upton Road, new bridge no longer necessary: Department of Transportation

The province's Department of Transportation says a decades old plan to extend Upton Road and build a second bridge across the North Riveris no longer necessary, and doesn't make economic sense.

Some attendees at a public information session on the Cornwall bypass projectthis weekwanted to know why the province was moving forward with a new plan, when nearby land for a bypass was purchased years ago, and is still owned by the province.

Second bridge no longer necessary

Stephen Yeo, chief engineer for the Department of Transportation, says the need for a second bridge was based on the North River Causeway being a two lane road, which it was back in the 1990s. Today, that road has four lanes, and Yeo said an additional bridge is no longer necessary.

"It was decided that existing infrastructure, with some upgrades, as in the roundabouts, would certainly handle traffic many years into the future, and a second crossing was not warranted at this point in time."

Yeo said it is for this reason that the department didn't complete a cost comparison between the old plan and the new Cornwall bypass project.

"We just looked at what a new bridge structure would cost us, that would be in 60-70 million dollar range for another bridge. You take the estimated cost of whole project today at 65 million, so it would certainly double or more the cost of the existing project."

Purchased land will be traded or sold

Yeo saidany land that was purchased and is no longer needed will be sold, or the Department of Transportation will attempt to trade it for land they need for the new project.

He said so far, the province has purchased approximately 35 per centof the land needed for the Cornwall bypass project. The rest of that land can't be acquired until a route is chosen for the bypass.

"Once a route ischosen, we'll start negotiations with individuals landowners," he said.

Environmental assessment coming

Steven Yeo saidresidents of Cornwall will soon have a chance to find out which route has been chosen for the bypass. He expects the route to be selected by mid-September, after which there will be a public meeting, part of the requirements for an environmental impact assessment.

He said the roundabouts at Maypoint Road and Poplar Island don't require environmental impact assessments, as the construction is adding onto existing roads, butthe bypass is brand new infrastructure.

Yeo said the department has already applied for the permits, and expects to receive approval in time to commence construction at MaypointRoadon Sept. 7.