Achi news desk-
Months after it was scheduled to open, the only traffic on the Burnside connector in Nova Scotia is heavy equipment.
“Obviously there is frustration. Anytime construction is going on and they have a deadline set in front of them and they expected a deadline to happen and when it doesn’t, it’s frustrating,” said the Councilor Tony Mancini.
That deadline was supposed to be fall 2023. Magazine Hill is the main link between Sackville and Dartmouth. The Burnside link will be a nine kilometer long four lane motorway which will also provide a tractor path with an alternative route into Burnside.
“This is the largest industrial park east of Montreal and the efficiency of getting products and machinery and equipment in and out of it is critical,” Mancini said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $6 billion to support the housing acceleration fund and some of it is earmarked for infrastructure.
“We will launch the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund with a billion dollars available to be allocated to municipalities to support needs that will directly create more housing,” Trudeau said.
Included are things like waste water, storm water and solid waste systems. Roads and highways are not eligible.
The idea of a Burnside connector is becoming more appealing to commuters trying to avoid slow traffic.
“Having an alternative like a faster or easier route than that would definitely benefit people who work in the city,” said Lower Sackville resident Kim Munro.
Another option will be the $250 million Bedford ferry project, but that won’t help the traffic problem until 2028.
