[St. John's] Transport development (Highways, Airport, and Public Transit)

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by jjavman

"We expect that construction will start late summer, early fall and that will be done probably over three construction seasons: this year, next year and then completed in the third. And then that is finally finished," - John Abbott

Tender closed Aug 12th - Contract was awarded September 17th
Nothing happening there yet!

Typical province/contractor happening

UPDATE

Came down Old Placentia Rd. to Brookfield this morning, and they are clearing brush by Heavy Tree Rd. in the area where the roundabouts will start.

[Offshore1]

Dropped a relative off at the airport this morning and there's some sort of construction ongoing as you pass by the Long Term Parking and the entrance to that lot. I didn't take time to size it all up, so not sure what the scope is.

[Crisisnf]

Originally Posted by Offshore1

Dropped a relative off at the airport this morning and there's some sort of construction ongoing as you pass by the Long Term Parking and the entrance to that lot. I didn't take time to size it all up, so not sure what the scope is.

I've been there a couple times recently and noticed that too. Thought to myself...when was the last time you were at an airport that wasn't under construction?

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Crisisnf

I've been there a couple times recently and noticed that too. Thought to myself...when was the last time you were at an airport that wasn't under construction?

Also there's been absolutely no talk of the shelved West Wing of the terminal building that was supposed to finish in 2021. It was put on hold during Covid and there's not even a blurb on the airport website about it.

[Engibeer]

Originally Posted by jjavman

Also there's been absolutely no talk of the shelved West Wing of the terminal building that was supposed to finish in 2021. It was put on hold during Covid and there's not even a blurb on the airport website about it.

I forgot all about that part of the expansion (and why it was planned to begin with).

I did a quick search through the YYT Master Plan (pages 116-117). Here's the paragraph on the West Wing, which seems to be focused on adding 2 gates and international holding/processing. I'm guessing due to Covid, all things international flight related were put on hold until they have a few years of data showing passenger volumes back beyond 2019 levels.

Preparation is now ongoing to accommodate a Phase 2 expansion on the west side of the terminal building to complete the expansion to accommodate forecast 2020 traffic levels.

Commencing in mid-2018, the proposed 9,000 m2 addition would include a new International Arrivals area on the ground floor, comprised of an expanded CBSA facility and two international baggage claim devices.

Level 2 of the expansion would accommodate expanded holdroom facilities with provision for two additional contact gate positions, one of which would be designed to accommodate AGN V aircraft.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Engibeer

I forgot all about that part of the expansion (and why it was planned to begin with).

I did a quick search through the YYT Master Plan (pages 116-117). Here's the paragraph on the West Wing, which seems to be focused on adding 2 gates and international holding/processing. I'm guessing due to Covid, all things international flight related were put on hold until they have a few years of data showing passenger volumes back beyond 2019 levels.

[Dengler Avenue]

Just curious, does anyone know the history of TCH between St John’s and Whitborne? More particularly, when and how it was twinned?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dprjoKcu3Qb8HjyC7
That road looks like an old alignment of TCH, presumably bypassed during twinning to preserve the businesses.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9kHuMNw7mL5NtHar8
It looks like there used to be a business there which got expropriated during twinning.

Stuff like this might provide a clue on how TCH will be twinned between Rte 100 and Rte 80/81.

[NLResident]

The business that used to be near the Holyrood exit was an Irving

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

Just curious, does anyone know the history of TCH between St John’s and Whitborne? More particularly, when and how it was twinned?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dprjoKcu3Qb8HjyC7
That road looks like an old alignment of TCH, presumably bypassed during twinning to preserve the businesses.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9kHuMNw7mL5NtHar8
It looks like there used to be a business there which got expropriated during twinning.

Stuff like this might provide a clue on how TCH will be twinned between Rte 100 and Rte 80/81.

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by NLResident

The business that used to be near the Holyrood exit was an Irving

Do you or anyone here remember when TCH was twinned? It doesn’t seem built with divided 4 lanes right from the start.

[Dengler Avenue]

some thoughts on what to do with Whitbourne based on the design around Holyrood Road interchange

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

some thoughts on what to do with Whitbourne based on the design around Holyrood Road interchange

Didn't the province already state that the twinning will start after the Argentia Road? So long ago now that I'm hazy on it.

[Dengler Avenue]

The announcement was made in 2023.
I’ve always been under the impression that the twinning begins where it’s currently left off though. It’ll be strange to just leave the current business section as is.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

The announcement was made in 2023.
I’ve always been under the impression that the twinning begins where it’s currently left off though. It’ll be strange to just leave the current business section as is.

Yes it would be but I believe that is what was stated. Could be wrong

[jjavman]

Tire blew in St. John's. Possible lawsuit in Halifax

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...ifax-1.7432849

[SuperCat]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

The announcement was made in 2023.
I’ve always been under the impression that the twinning begins where it’s currently left off though. It’ll be strange to just leave the current business section as is.

This government is great at announcements!
How many can you name?
-that highway twinning
-New Prison
-New Hospital Kenmount Road
-Downtown Health and Well-Being Centre at the Grace site
-...

[Johnny Engine]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

The announcement was made in 2023.
I’ve always been under the impression that the twinning begins where it’s currently left off though. It’ll be strange to just leave the current business section as is.

My assumption is that it's in small part a compromise with the Town of Whitbourne, but mostly so they don't have to build as many overpasses.
My crazy idea - which I don't have any illusions about being the right one - is to connect Route 100 and Route 81 just south of the Whitbourne Lions club, and have no need for an interchange on the west end of the strip, maybe just a little ramp to get on and off the Eastbound lane. I'm pretty sure doing this would still mean upgrading the overpass for Exit 28, and would send more traffic through a winding portion of Route 81 that has some homes and business on it.

[Dengler Avenue]

This is rather strange. I’ve gone through most of the news articles about twinning and all of them were so vague that they didn’t give details like what you two are mentioning.

Ps: I definitely don’t agree with putting businesses right on TCH between 2 interchanges through Deer Lake, either. While I get the reason (i.e. in case of ferry closure), that’s plain wrong from an engineering standpoint, as doing so introduces inconsistency in roadway design and confuses unfamiliar drivers.
Those businesses in Whitbourne should just be bypassed. The summer ferry traffic coming from Argentia runs should suffice to keep them alive.

[jjavman]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

This is rather strange. I’ve gone through most of the news articles about twinning and all of them were so vague that they didn’t give details like what you two are mentioning.

Ps: I definitely don’t agree with putting businesses right on TCH between 2 interchanges through Deer Lake, either. While I get the reason (i.e. in case of ferry closure), that’s plain wrong from an engineering standpoint, as doing so introduces inconsistency in roadway design and confuses unfamiliar drivers.
Those businesses in Whitbourne should just be bypassed. The summer ferry traffic coming from Argentia runs should suffice to keep them alive.

Yes I had a look as well, and couldn't find it a text.
I remember at the time tho' telling friends about it. May have been in an oral interview with Abbott. In any case, it will be revealed soon enough.

[Marty_Mcfly]

Honestly I can't see them twinning the stretch through Whitbourne and having all those businesses now sit off the highway where someone would actively have to exit the highway to access them.

It would be convenient for the highway to continue all the way through, but you're really going to only lose 1-2 minutes commute time by slowing down and going through Whitbourne.

[Dengler Avenue]

Still, it’s a matter of driver expectation. After 10 km of freeway driving, most people won’t be prepared to see any vehicle pulling out in front of them.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/djiSMAKSmMxNyPd3A
I suspect that the business access in that street view used to be the TCH, bypassed when TCH was twinned. Something like that can be done at Whitbourne (or, as I digress, in Deer Lake too).

Edit: The only viable compromise that I can see is to build it like the right-in right-out expressway through Grand Falls - Windsor with a 90-kph speed limit.