Official Fredericton, NB projects thread

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by shazapple

There's a multiple restaurants within a 15 minute walk, which is probably better than most of the city. I certainly wouldn't be above stumbling home from Grimross from that distance either!

True, however, as Jeff Speck who wrote the excellent Walkable City book says, a walk needs to be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting. Arguably the walk to those restaurants is useful but it doesn't hit the other criteria.

I would say that those restaurants are theoretically walkable but few people who own a car would choose to walk to them over driving.

[Taeolas]

It could be more walkable, but the Pur And Simple minimall is a commercial hub at least.

I think the main thing it could use would be a pharmacy somewhat nearby. The closest one would be Pharmasave on Prospect, and that's a bit far to reach.

A Shoppers or a Guardian or a Lawtons off of Acorn Street or on Hanwell might work well.

I'm also wondering if that area might be dense enough for a super market. On the one hand, Sobeys and a Walmart Supercentre are "close" at Prospect and Regent; but they aren't really walkable.

A small grocer (IGA, or a small Sobeys similar to the Regent Street one or something) on Hanwell might be a good addition now with how many people are in that area (plus serving Hanwell and the other outskirts out there).

I wonder if the city has pencil marked a right of way to make another link between Hanwell and the New Maryland Highway in the long term future? A road going from the Holy Family church on Hanwell to the Costco lights on the New Maryland Highway seems to be an obvious route for the future. (The DOT depot is in the way but for long term plans something could surely be worked out)

As far as Walkability goes, Hanwell in that stretch (from the Route 8 bridge to the far end of Serenity Lane) could probably stand to be turned into a boulevard with an island maybe; or something else that would make it more pedestrian friendly to cross and walk along. Definitely sidewalks on both sides, maybe separated bike lanes like Brookside has, and some traffic calming measures to make it easier / safer to cross. Bishop also probably could use some more pedestrian friendly additions as well.

[OliverD]

The draft of the city's Affordable Housing Strategy is now online and there's a survey to go with it: https://engagefredericton.ca/affordable-housing-survey

There's some great stuff in that document.

[adamuptownsj]

It would be nice to see a lot less surface parking. Or at least put it behind the buildings instead of in front of them. That's a lot of perpendicular-to-the-road spots too.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

I wonder if the city has pencil marked a right of way to make another link between Hanwell and the New Maryland Highway in the long term future? A road going from the Holy Family church on Hanwell to the Costco lights on the New Maryland Highway seems to be an obvious route for the future. (The DOT depot is in the way but for long term plans something could surely be worked out)

The DOT depot isn't even relevant. Look at the wetlands in that area:



Any connection would have to be made quite far to the south and I can't see one being of much value anytime soon.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

As far as Walkability goes, Hanwell in that stretch (from the Route 8 bridge to the far end of Serenity Lane) could probably stand to be turned into a boulevard with an island maybe; or something else that would make it more pedestrian friendly to cross and walk along. Definitely sidewalks on both sides, maybe separated bike lanes like Brookside has, and some traffic calming measures to make it easier / safer to cross. Bishop also probably could use some more pedestrian friendly additions as well.

I also wonder how much truck traffic is on that portion of Hanwell Road because Route 8 is not accessible from Hanwell the community. I could see it being worthwhile to connect the access road that goes to the TCH northbound onramp to Route 8, as a way for truck traffic to bypass Hanwell Road within the city limits completely. Then it would also become more feasible to build a roundabout at Hanwell and Serenity once that neighbourhood is built out, potentially also connecting to Bishop Heights.

[Taeolas]

Originally Posted by OliverD

I also wonder how much truck traffic is on that portion of Hanwell Road because Route 8 is not accessible from Hanwell the community. I could see it being worthwhile to connect the access road that goes to the TCH northbound onramp to Route 8, as a way for truck traffic to bypass Hanwell Road within the city limits completely. Then it would also become more feasible to build a roundabout at Hanwell and Serenity once that neighbourhood is built out, potentially also connecting to Bishop Heights.

Looking at the maps, from Hanwell you can get on the TCH in either direction but as you said, you can't get on Route 8 from Hanwell nor can you come off Route 8 to go to Hanwell (unless you come off Prospect or Mazerolle.

So yeah, extending that stub looks like it was penciled in for future ramp access to Route 8. Hopefully it won't take as long to finish that interchange off as it did to finish off the Westmoreland Bride off ramps.


As for the road parallel to Bishop, the wetlands are an issue, and there probably won't really be a need as noted; especially if they just upgrade Bishop to match traffic needs and development. (A full pedestrian boulevard to link Hanwell to Regent Mall would be its future for certain).

That said, looking a bit further south-west, how about finishing off a connection between Greenview Drive in Hanwell and Gravenstein Street in New Maryland?

They're already a stones throw away from each other, and the connection does seem natural. Though Fredericton probably wouldn't want it because it would encourage more development outside the city boundaries. It also links Industrial to Residential which would probably annoy New Maryland residents.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

That said, looking a bit further south-west, how about finishing off a connection between Greenview Drive in Hanwell and Gravenstein Street in New Maryland?

They're already a stones throw away from each other, and the connection does seem natural. Though Fredericton probably wouldn't want it because it would encourage more development outside the city boundaries. It also links Industrial to Residential which would probably annoy New Maryland residents.

I've thought that as well. Could be a bit of a time saver for some people. I'd imagine it will happen eventually, but you wouldn't want it to be a truck route.

[Taeolas]

It looks like it would make a perfect frontage road next to the TCH, but we'll probably never really have the right industries and traffic for it. The Hanwell side does look like a frontage road already. Maybe Greenview can be extended and stay next to the highway and cut in behind the houses on Gravenstein to have some light commercial or just a limited access road around New Maryland and link up closer to the exit ramps.

Ultimately it does feel to me that Hanwell and New Maryland should have a non-highway link between them at some point. But it probably wouldn't/shouldn't happen for a long time just to keep traffic contained and to keep growth more centred in the city.

[frenchvulture]

Originally Posted by OliverD

I also wonder how much truck traffic is on that portion of Hanwell Road because Route 8 is not accessible from Hanwell the community. I could see it being worthwhile to connect the access road that goes to the TCH northbound onramp to Route 8, as a way for truck traffic to bypass Hanwell Road within the city limits completely. Then it would also become more feasible to build a roundabout at Hanwell and Serenity once that neighbourhood is built out, potentially also connecting to Bishop Heights.

I don't see them building another interchange there just because of that problem. That seems like a low ROI to me. If they did something there, I would expect that they would add a off-ramp from the TCH to Route 8, but that would be tricky given Garden Creek is right there, and it would only fix the problem in one direction.

If Hanwell would get another interchange, you'd think the cheaper option would be to put it in a Deerwood, where there is already an overpass. However, I realize that it is residential, so it might not make sense a truck route, but it would beat going all the way to Mazerolle Settlement.

[Taeolas]

It wouldn't be a full interchange; it's basically 1 bridge and 2 ramps to link up to the stub that is already there.

* One ramp to come off the west bound Route 8 to get into Hanwell
* One bridge to take that ramp over the east-bound Route 8.
* One ramp to take traffic down to the east-bound Route 8. (Sharing a road with the other ramp from that point to the hookup at the current stub)


Going out to Deerwood just to get onto Route 8 would add an extra 10km+ in the wrong direction. (And don't even think about Mazerolle).

Hmm now that I look at it more closely, there is not a full bi-directional interchange between the TCH and Route 8 OR the TCH and Route 7.

Both of those interchanges are missing directions.

* Northbound TCH can't get onto Route 8

* Southbound TCH can't get onto Route 7 northbound (going into the city)
* Southbound Route 7 (Vanier Highway) can't get onto Northbound TCH.

Maybe if they turned the Hanwell entrance ramp to the NB TCH into a shared exit ramp to get onto Eastbound Route 8 it might help some of the truck traffic. But there would still be a need to get west bound Route 8 into Hanwell.

[Bishop2047]

Behind paywall but Radical Edge and Milltown are partnered and opening "The Landing" in Marysville. Looks like a coffee/beer spot targeting trail users.

https://huddle.today/2022/05/06/frederic...owners-prep-for-the-landing-this-summer/

[Freddypop]

PJ Wings and York Cider are adding their services in the MINT e-Scooter building on Smythe by the round-about

[FreddyGuy]

The May PAC agenda is out. Goes over more detail on the serenity development which has some interesting buildings. Very reminiscent of the new building next to the police station on Queen. This would completely change that area for sure.

Also shows more detail on the new Woodstock road building which is incredibly boring and lack luster but I suppose an improvement over the current empty graffiti filled lot.

https://www.fredericton.ca/en/city-hall/committees/planning-advisory-committee-pac

[frenchvulture]

Originally Posted by FreddyGuy

The May PAC agenda is out. Goes over more detail on the serenity development which has some interesting buildings. Very reminiscent of the new building next to the police station on Queen. This would completely change that area for sure.
https://www.fredericton.ca/en/city-hall/committees/planning-advisory-committee-pac

I absolutely love the corner entrance to the 6-story building. Makes it look really pedestrian friendly. I wish more buildings would be done that way.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by Franco401

Also, the apartment building at 214 Dunns Crossing Road has a foundation poured. I wonder if they plan on putting up any structure this year.

Noticed that this building is up to three floors + covered parking. Not sure if it is topped out or not.

[Taeolas]

Man, they just can't seem to catch a break over there.

Fire at Nameste Bistro and Brewbakers

This still seems to be on-going, but all the employees have been confirmed safe.

Hopefully the damage isn't too devestating.

[Freddypop]

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Man, they just can't seem to catch a break over there.

Fire at Nameste Bistro and Brewbakers

This still seems to be on-going, but all the employees have been confirmed safe.

Hopefully the damage isn't too devestating.

Owners are saying 4-6 weeks before they reopen due to smoke/water damage. Laying off staff until they are ready to reopen. Tough break for all.

[Taeolas]

Losing a month at the start of Summer is bad, but hopefully things can go faster. It is a tough break indeed. At least it is just smoke and water damage; the shell of the building is still intact and hopefully a lot can be salvaged.

[OliverD]

Some items of interest from April's building permits:

- Housing starts year to date are down significantly (197 vs. 273) BUT the 70-unit building on Cliffe that's currently under construction is not counted in that total because they've only issued a permit for the foundation so in reality we're pretty much on par with last year.
- Not sure how last week's fire affects this but Happy Baker is opening in the Brewbaker's building, presumably on the ground floor at the left side of the building. There's been rumours of a coffee shop going there for a long time now.
- Squeeze juice bar is opening at the bottom of Regent in the new office building.