B8

Candice Mac Lean
Telegraph-Journal

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ROTHESAY - The mayor of Rothesay says if the province moves forward on upgrades to Highway 1 without including an accident-prone intersection in the plans, it will be making a monumental omission.

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Cindy Wilson/Telegraph-Journal

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop says this intersection on Campbell Drive, in front of the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department, is in bad shape. ‘It’s not big enough to handle the traffic.’

"That area is a focal point for most of the traffic from Rothesay and Quispamsis," Bill Bishop said of the Highways 1 and 111 intersection in the town.

"We've recognized that as a trouble point for some time."

The intersection is on Campbell Drive in front of the Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department.

"It's in bad shape," the mayor said. "It's not big enough to handle the traffic."

Sgt. Evan Scott of the Rothesay Regional Police Force said the intersection has seen more than 80 accidents in the last four years.

Bishop has asked the province's Department of Transportation to include upgrades to the intersection in its Route 1 Gateway Project, which will see major work done on the highway between St. Stephen and River Glade.

"It's full of potholes, it's not level and the intersection is much too small to handle the increase in traffic over the last few years," Bishop said.

The Town of Rothesay sent a letter to the department asking for the area to be included in upgrading plans. Neighbouring town Quispamsis supported the request.

Matt Frye, a communications officer with the department, said plans for the gateway project are not finalized.

"The scope of the project is still being developed," he said. "It's premature to comment on plans."

Frye said if the intersection isn't included this time, it could still be on the department's radar.

"Just because something isn't part of the Route 1 Gateway Project doesn't mean it's not part of the bigger picture of the department," he said. "It could be included down the line."

Bishop said the entire intersection should be changed to suit current traffic needs.

"The whole thing needs to redesigned," he said. "The on-ramp is not adequate. It can't stay that way forever."

Frye said the $60-million One Mile House interchange project now underway in Saint John could change traffic flow through the region and help Rothesay's situation.

"It could (cause) traffic changes in Saint John and on the volumes of traffic throughout the city."

The interchange will route truck traffic away from the uptown and off city streets.