Update: Highway 333 Planning Update

Dear Minister Masland,

I am writing to request a meeting with you or senior staff at the department to discuss infrastructure planning and implementation for Highway # 333 (Prospect Road). The purpose of the meeting is to talk about the improvements needed to address the current traffic congestion and the impact of future growth.

Strategic planning is needed to highlight the current issues, accommodate the expansion of the Goodwood
Compost Facility, and plan for two new proposed developments, Halifax Exhibition Centre, and the Ragged Lake Industrial Park. The proposed developments will directly and significantly affect traffic on highway # 333, a stretch of highway that is currently oversubscribed.

In addition to the rapid residential growth along this highway, the Halifax Exhibition Centre (HEC) development will bring an additional 4,300 housing units to the entrance of Prospect Road. The Ragged Lake Industrial expansion will have a similar impact on the traffic congestion in this area.

I would like to specifically address the following issues:

1. Safety issues. There is only one way in and out for Prospect residents. In the event of an emergency such as a forest fire, residents would have difficulty evacuating this area. Emergency vehicles (fire trucks and ambulances) would also have difficulty accessing the area. An access point from Highway #333 to Highway # 103 is essential.

2. Mills Road Entrance — There is not adequate space or a professionally designed entrance to accommodate the large industrial trucks entering and or exiting Mills Drive. In addition, there is a slight curve in highway #333 just prior to the entrance of Mills Drive and no traffic lights making it an extremely dangerous intersection, especially on a rainy, foggy day.

3. Repaving Needed Due to Industrial Traffic — The expansion of the Compost Facility alone will result in the up to thirty-six (36) additional heavy trucks per operational day travelling on highway # 333. The increase of heavy truck loads is deteriorating the highway and repaving especially from Evergreen Place heading north the lights at St Margarets Bay Road should be a priority.

4. Transportation Modernization —Tourism influences road infrastructure. Highway # 333 is the gateway to Nova Scotia’s most iconic tourist attraction. As we work together to rebuild our tourist industry following the pandemic, Public Works can contribute to enhancing the tourist experience in Nova Scotia by ensuring visitors a modern beautiful highway to travel while exploring our coastal communities and our provincial treasure, Peggy’s Cove.

I look forward to meeting with you to discuss these concerns.

Sincerely,

lain Rankin MLA, Timberlea-Prospect