[Moncton] Northwest/Magnetic Hill Developments

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

At peak times, such as morning and evening commutes, there can be a fair amount of traffic on the former 4-lane stretch of Salisbury rd. All that it takes is one "Sunday driver" and traffic backs up. I have frequently witnessed people using the centre turning lane as a passing lane in these cases. In fact, I have seen that more often than I have seen bicycles using the bike lanes on that stretch of road.

I'm wondering if this has actually had the opposite effect, increasing the likelihood of an accident, due to frustrated drivers making bad decisions.

As far as Mountain Road is concerned, I think it would be a mistake to turn the road into a three lane configuration before the Casino Drive/TCH eastbound on/off ramp intersection. I think the traffic volumes up to this point justify four lanes, especially if there is an event at the casino.

[gehrhardt]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

As far as Mountain Road is concerned, I think it would be a mistake to turn the road into a three lane configuration before the Casino Drive/TCH eastbound on/off ramp intersection. I think the traffic volumes up to this point justify four lanes, especially if there is an event at the casino.

I'd even go as far to say that the 4-lane section shouldn't stop until the Route 126 intersection (Ensley drive). Beyond that, it would make sense. More tourists and potential jaywalking would justify fewer lanes and a speed limit reduction.

Maybe even add a signalled crosswalk between the Magnetic Hill complex and the attractions across the road.

However, looking at Google Maps, Mountain rd is already only 3 lanes from The Boardwalk to Front Mountain rd. Either they're going to expand this, or just redo the lines to make bike lanes.

[Mapleton_Roadie]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Current status of the new Holiday Inn & Suites, just north of the TCH on Mapleton Road.


photo courtesy of Retail Talk & Share

FWIW, I drove by this site the other day and saw no evidence of any construction (or even site preparation) for the proposed dual restaurant property.



This of course doesn't mean that this development isn't happening, but the silence has been deafening. The two presumed restaurants were Jack Astor's and Milestones. It's possible that other opportunities may have opened up for these brands elsewhere in the city since these plans were originally drawn up. In particular, there is supposed to be a "nationally branded restaurant" as part of the new Hyatt Hotel downtown by the events centre. I could see this as being Milestones. If Milestones withdrew from the Holiday Inn project, this could have put the kibosh to the entire possibility of the dual restaurant project. We should have greater clarity on all this in the next few months........

The loss of the Cabela's store from the Mapleton Road district, and the impending move of Costco to Granite Drive may have reduced the appeal of this proposed development

I walked the back of the lot today. I paced off the approximate distance from the new curb at back of the parking lot to the property pin in the woods behind the hotel. There is still approximately 200' x ? more of land that could developed. Enough room for another building such as a restaurant.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by L'homard

I'm not fond of Moncton bike lanes (I believe they should have their own walking/biking trails off the road, for safety and convenience) but in this case I don't have a problem. Other than from late June to Labour Day, I don't see a ton of traffic here, and they have that HUGE gaping middle lane that serves no purpose. So I'll be anxious to see the final product which might be quite workable, unlike running a white line down hectic city streets and calling it a bike lane.
I'm unclear how much area this covers. Am I missing something? Does it extend down to Jason LUtes' Irving station, as far as the Casino, only to the zoo entrance, or what?

They were talking about this project on CBC this morning. It would appear that the three-laning of Mountain Road will not commence before Bulman (Mickey-D's), and then extend to Front Mountain Road.

[C_Boy]

Ensley Drive you mean?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by C_Boy

Ensley Drive you mean?

My mistake - the city works guy they interviewed on the radio specifically said Bulman. I got my streets mixed up. This is actually before the section of Mountain Road to be resurfaced.

I'm afraid I've just added to the confusion over this issue........

[MonctonRad]

For those who are interested, here's a link to the pdf of the Sustainable Transportation Master Plan (Destination 2040). for the greater Moncton area, quoted in the City of Moncton press release regarding the Mountain Road project.

https://www.moncton.ca/Assets/Residents+...portation/destination2040finalreport.pdf

Mostly platitudes, but the document does hint at some major projects that might be coming down the pipeline within the next couple of decades, such as a third downstream river crossing linking Dieppe and Riverview directly.

I was also interested to see their population projections for the greater Moncton area in 2040:

Moncton CMA - 211,536
City of Moncton - 106,881
City of Dieppe - 38,020
Town of Riverview - 29,285

[Feneant]

Destination 2040... I wonder how much we paid for someone to produce this for us? Seems to me we should just hire you (MonctonRad) as your suggestions here make more sense than most of what we get from City Hall...

Some interesting items, it refers to a 3rd river crossing but I'm pretty sure that was also in the Destination 1990,2000, 2010 and 2020 plans.

And we can't forget about 'Roundabout conversion' --> I see we're taking a page from the book of PEI. They have gone nuts with them and are adding more every year. I'll be the first to admit that once people get used to them they work quite well. It's justi insane though that between Cornwall to Montague using the Bypass there are 7 of these!

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Some interesting items, it refers to a 3rd river crossing but I'm pretty sure that was also in the Destination 1990,2000, 2010 and 2020 plans.

IMO, they should have done the third crossing first then work on the causeway.

[habs33]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

My mistake - the city works guy they interviewed on the radio specifically said Bulman. I got my streets mixed up. This is actually before the section of Mountain Road to be resurfaced.

I'm afraid I've just added to the confusion over this issue........

Here's the interview and article from CBC
'Road diet' on Moncton's Mountain Road aims to slow speeders

[riverviewer]

Originally Posted by Feneant

Some interesting items, it refers to a 3rd river crossing

A third river crossing, serving all modes and
connecting Riverview and Dieppe directly, is
recommended to address a major connectivity gap.

If it's Bridgedale to Melanson Road... we need Bridgedale first!

[MonctonRad]

There is now signage up at the Lounsburys Plaza for Totally Raw Pet Food. This should be an interesting concept.......

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There is now signage up at the Lounsburys Plaza for Totally Raw Pet Food. This should be an interesting concept.......

Interesting..Global Pet Foods are selling their product out of their stores right now in a big freezer display. I wonder if they still plan on selling them there or if their sales were so good they decided to open up their own store. Its a company based out of nova scotia, all the ingredients are natural from a farm, they come in what looks like a burger patty.

I switched my cat over to this food as its far heathier. The idea behind it is you are paying more for food up front but saving on vet bills in the long run. I've noticed a big difference. This is a big trend right now, getting a big chunk of the many dog owners in Moncton they could do quite well. Its a business that's almost like a subscription because once a customer makes the change they'll return every few weeks to restock, and buy in bulk.

I'm guessing they used Global as a distributor to test the market.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by riverviewer

If it's Bridgedale to Melanson Road... we need Bridgedale first!

Right! They haven’t even built that road yet!

Also thought this bit was interesting
“several new highway interchanges have been identified as important facilities to enhance connectivity and serve future demand. Some existing roads (such as the Highway 15-Wheeler Boulevard corridor) may require widening in the long-term to meet projected demand.”

I wonder if that includes Wheeler @ Lewisville & 15 @ the Airport? Also interesting is the fact they think it should be widened. If the province is going to be making any highway 3 lanes, it will be the Mackay Highway first!

[MonctonRad]

This site plan fleshes out what they intend for the "proposed multi-unit residential area" as part of the Mountain Way Estates expansion:



Three apartment buildings (all only three stories in height), and a number of town homes. The apartment buildings will have 45, 45 and 39 units respectively.

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

This site plan fleshes out what they intend for the "proposed multi-unit residential area" as part of the Mountain Way Estates expansion:



Three apartment buildings (all only three stories in height), and a number of town homes. The apartment buildings will have 45, 45 and 39 units respectively.

Are the 5-6 Unit Townhomes on the empty lot across the road part of this Project still, or seperate Project by the same company? Anyone know?

[David_99]

"But in an email to Radio-Canada on Friday, a spokesperson for Shannex said the company is not continuing with the project. The company did not say why.

According to Isabelle LeBlanc, director of communications for the City of Moncton, council has known for some time that Shannex was not pursuing the project since it had not applied for permits for construction."

CBC.ca

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by Scarface

Are the 5-6 Unit Townhomes on the empty lot across the road part of this Project still, or seperate Project by the same company? Anyone know?

Across what road? Are you referring to the proposed project at the other end of Ryan close to Horsman?

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Across what road? Are you referring to the proposed project at the other end of Ryan close to Horsman?

Oposite side of Future Road B.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by David_99

"But in an email to Radio-Canada on Friday, a spokesperson for Shannex said the company is not continuing with the project. The company did not say why.

According to Isabelle LeBlanc, director of communications for the City of Moncton, council has known for some time that Shannex was not pursuing the project since it had not applied for permits for construction."

CBC.ca

This is most unfortunate.

The conspiracy theorist in me is quite interested in the machinations behind this decision by Shannex.

Here is my likely scenario (purely speculative and based only from information gathered from the net and/or previously posted by others on this forum:

Observe this image of the plans for Mapleton Crossing Phase 2



This ambitious project went into the toilet with the decision to build the new Costco on Granite Drive off of Elmwood.

Note the large road network which was to be part of the development. This included a good chunk of LJR Blvd, including two roundabouts and a bridge over Hall's Creek. This extension of LJR Blvd would have been a multimillion dollar project, partly funded by the developer of Mapleton Crossing Phase 2 (Cordova), but would have served the Shannex development too.

With the retail development no longer viable without Costco, Cordova's contribution to the extension of LJR Blvd would no longer be available. The city probably did not want to finance this by themselves and probably asked Shannex to take over the private component of this expensive road project.

I suspect Shannex was likely disinclined to acquiesce to the city's request and instead decided that the nursing home project was not financially viable given the new paradigm. The project was subsequently cancelled.

This is of course only speculation and I have no inside information, but this seems a probable scenario. If true, the relocation of Costco to Granite Drive will have instigated a cascade of events which will have prevented the development of the entire western portion of the Vision Lands for the foreseeable future.......