[Moncton] Northwest/Magnetic Hill Developments

[Franco401]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Most traffic circles are problematic for those not used to them because locals decide to create their own rules. Fredericton's Smythe is a prime example of this.

I don't mind the Larry Uteck off-ramp roundabouts, personally.

The Smythe Roundabout has been a rousing success. People almost entirely follow the actual rules, I don't know about anyone making their own rules apart from some folks deciding to avoid it at all costs.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Franco401

The Smythe Roundabout has been a rousing success. People almost entirely follow the actual rules, I don't know about anyone making their own rules apart from some folks deciding to avoid it at all costs.

So things have improved in the past six months?

A year after Fredericton’s first multi-lane roundabout opened at the top of Smythe Street, city staff hope new signage will reduce the number of collisions.

City of Fredericton traffic engineer Jon Lewis says there have been 30 minor collisions reported to the Fredericton Police Force since September 2015. Lewis says accidents are reported that result in more than $1,000 damage.

“We have had 30 collisions, but only two of them have resulted in injuries and both of those were very minor at that,” Lewis said.

He says some drivers are still struggling to learn how to navigate the roundabout and says the city is working to install new signage, based on what other municipalities have done.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by habs33

Wind unveils price, location of new Moncton school
https://www.telegraphjournal.com/times-t...overnment-middle-school?source=story-top

Here's a more detailed response now that I'm home and have a little more time on my hands.

I guess the windstorm did let the cat out of the bag (so to speak)



It's ironic that although the new middle school is anglophone, that Mother Nature decided to reveal only the French side of the sign..........

I drove up today and had a look at where the sign is located. Based on this, this is my best guess as to where the new school will be located:



This parcel of land (in red) is immediately behind the big water tower on Twin Oaks, and borders on the Northwest Trail, which would be fantastic for students wanting to cycle or walk to school.

I took the liberty of drawing in blue some of the existing (and potential) street grid now developing in the northwest end between Twin Oaks and Ryan Street. Instead of having disconnected small subdivisions in the area, you will see the development of a more integrated neighbourhood like on the north side of Twin Oaks.........

Please note that I may be off on my prediction of the absolute location of the new school. The sign is located at the end of Teaberry, and I'm just assuming the school will be on the north side of an extension of Teaberry. This makes sense since this means the rear of the school would abut a greenbelt and the Northwest Trail - which would be ideal, but there is nothing to say that the school might not be built on the south side of the extension to Teaberry instead.........

This section of the NW end is rapidly becoming the heart of the neighbourhood. In the image above, there is Evergreen Park School, Ecole le Sommet and the yet to be named or built new anglophone middle school. In addition, the likely location for the new north end community centre is in that bit of woodland just behind Ecole le Sommet.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Construction of the footings for the hotel have begun.

[MonctonRad]

They are planning to connect Silver Shale Way through to Lady Russell Street. This area is south of Ryan Street to the east of the roundabout.

[MonctonRad]

They are planning to connect Carson Drive through to an extension of Cedar Street.

[mctnguy]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They are planning to connect Carson Drive through to an extension of Cedar Street.

Huh, I grew up at the end of Cedar Street and always wondered if this would happen. Interesting to see what will happen to this quiet stub of a street once traffic can flow through it.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They are planning to connect Carson Drive through to an extension of Cedar Street.

I think you will see many people use that cut through. Now it would be nice to see the connection of Northwood to Gorge.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Mapleton_Roadie

I think you will see many people use that cut through. Now it would be nice to see the connection of Northwood to Gorge.

I think to have Northwood connect to Gorge there needs to be some alignment work done where Northwood, and Old Barn Road meet first, also potentially the widening of Northwood.

On that same topic I wonder if any neighborhood plans where talked about with the city. Since there where talks of a purchaser of the Land from north of Northwood, and west of Old Barn to be developed into another North end styled Neighborhood.

Personally I would like to see Northwood realigned, widened (with sidewalks, and lights), and extended to gorge. Would also like to see Mapleton go to Ammon, and that area developed.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Personally I would like to see Northwood realigned, widened (with sidewalks, and lights), and extended to gorge. Would also like to see Mapleton go to Ammon, and that area developed.

I agree on both counts.

The extension of Mapleton however would likely be a long term project for the distant future. There isn't enough development pressure right now to justify it.

The extension of Northwood through to Gorge however should be receiving some serious consideration now. As it stands, there is a lot of traffic that heads up Mapleton to the TCH, enters westbound onto the highway and then exits again just 1500 metres later at Gorge Road. I think an extended Northwood would recapture a lot of this local commuter traffic.

In addition, an extended Northwood would (in large part) parallel the TCH and would open a lot of land to potential highway commercial development. In other words, a Northwood extension could potentially pay for itself in terms of increased property tax revenue........

[MonctonRad]

Further to the above, heres an image showing how a potential extension of Northwood would connect Mapleton and Gorge north of the TCH.



It would join Gorge just south of Crandall University and would open considerable land along the north side of the TCH to highway commercial construction.

Also, in reference to the apparent rumour of roundabouts in the offing for the Mapleton/TCH interchange - I wonder of what they are thinking about is something like this?



I added in a third roundabout for the Northwood/Mapleton intersection because a signalized intersection here, being so close to the exit roundabout off the westbound TCH, might run the risk of backing up traffic onto the roundabout itself; which would not be a good situation at all........

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I agree on both counts.

The extension of Mapleton however would likely be a long term project for the distant future. There isn't enough development pressure right now to justify it.

The extension of Northwood through to Gorge however should be receiving some serious consideration now. As it stands, there is a lot of traffic that heads up Mapleton to the TCH, enters westbound onto the highway and then exits again just 1500 metres later at Gorge Road. I think an extended Northwood would recapture a lot of this local commuter traffic.

In addition, an extended Northwood would (in large part) parallel the TCH and would open a lot of land to potential highway commercial development. In other words, a Northwood extension could potentially pay for itself in terms of increased property tax revenue........

This is what I was dangling in front of my councillor when he and I met regarding the need for traffic control in the Mapleton/TCH interchange with the continued development of the area.

I used it in comparison the doubling of our reservoir, investing in the future. If the City were to invest in that project of finishing the connection of key routes, such as Northwood to Gorge, Cedar to Carson, Kendra to Crowley Farm, Wyse to Crowley Farm,Leopold Belliveau to Crowley Farm, etc etc over reasonable time, the growth of the City would be impressive.

I guess in reality, that would take decades to realise and with NB's population still shrinking, maybe never happen.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Mapleton_Roadie

I guess in reality, that would take decades to realise and with NB's population still shrinking, maybe never happen.

Urban NB's population has been growing for decades. It's rural NB that's shrinking. This distinction is important.

The street connections you listed are all good options for connecting but I get the feeling that completing Northwood will lead to a lot of sprawl that the City of Moncton may or may not want to avoid. I've always been of the opinion that the City should be attempting to keep all development south of the TCH whenever possible. Once it starts sprawling North you don't really know where it'll end.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Further to the above, heres an image showing how a potential extension of Northwood would connect Mapleton and Gorge north of the TCH.



It would join Gorge just south of Crandall University and would open considerable land along the north side of the TCH to highway commercial construction.

Also, in reference to the apparent rumour of roundabouts in the offing for the Mapleton/TCH interchange - I wonder of what they are thinking about is something like this?



I added in a third roundabout for the Northwood/Mapleton intersection because a signalized intersection here, being so close to the exit roundabout off the westbound TCH, might run the risk of backing up traffic onto the roundabout itself; which would not be a good situation at all........

That would possibly help force Day and Ross to sell....they would no longer be able to have their Super B trains (tractor and 2x53" traliers) come into their warehouse. Taking a standard tractor trailer combo through a roundabout requires diligence so navigating 2x53' ers ......

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Urban NB's population has been growing for decades. It's rural NB that's shrinking.

The street connections you listed are all good options for connecting but I get the feeling that completing Northwood will lead to a lot of sprawl that the City of Moncton may or may not want to avoid. I've always been of the opinion that the City should be attempting to keep all development south of the TCH whenever possible. Once it starts sprawling North you don't really know where it'll end.

I agree, it would be nice to start getting more density where there are many voids to be filled already in the City.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The street connections you listed are all good options for connecting but I get the feeling that completing Northwood will lead to a lot of sprawl that the City of Moncton may or may not want to avoid. I've always been of the opinion that the City should be attempting to keep all development south of the TCH whenever possible. Once it starts sprawling North you don't really know where it'll end.

I agree with you about limiting sprawl, but there are two areas where the cat is already out of the bag and the city has leapfrogged the TCH, this is in the northwest end (from Mapleton through to Mountain Road/Magnetic Hill), and in the Elmwood Drive/Caledonia Industrial Park region. In these two areas, I think road connections north of the TCH should be maximized to allow for efficient development. I think elsewhere, the TCH should remain a barrier to northward expansion of the city.

[Patapouf26]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I think elsewhere, the TCH should remain a barrier to northward expansion of the city.

Especially since there is practically nothing done in the Vision Lands. This is a huge piece of land that could do alot for density and to help curb urban sprawl.



I wish the city could help promote the original plans of the Hall's Creek development (I know, it's private land). The website is still up, check it out.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Holiday Inn Mapleton Rd

[MonctonRad]

They must be having trouble finding tenants for this proposed plaza on Horsman Road:



The new sign on the lot, while still showing a render of the proposed plaza, now also says "build to suit"........

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

They must be having trouble finding tenants for this proposed plaza on Horsman Road:



The new sign on the lot, while still showing a render of the proposed plaza, now also says "build to suit"........

I notice that while taking the bus. It seems nobody wants to build in what is still considered the "middle of nowhere" until the residential projects are finished that is.