Johnsons Mills diversion road, Route 16 paving to get under way in 2009

The Tantramar region will get a small piece of the pie from New Brunswick's beefed-up transportation budget for the coming year, with two major routes expected to see upgrades in 2009.
Local MLA Mike Olscamp said he's pleased that work will be done in the area on two arterial roads, although he admitted there's other projects in the area that could also use some much-needed funding.
"I'm always happy when we can get things but it's always nice to get more," he said.
Earlier this month, New Brunswick's Transportation Minister Denis Landry released a capital budget of almost $386 million, $51 million more than was spent in 2008 to provide economic stimulus in the province.
"Investing in critical infrastructure will not only generate economic benefits, it strengthens our communities," said Landry in his ministerial statement during the budget release. "We are making bold and strategic investments in all corners of the province. We are improving roads, highways and bridges to support people and communities."
Major transportation projects include $35 million for Route 8 Nashwaak/Marysville bypass; $21 million for the Route 1 One Mile House interchange; $13 million for the Route 7 Welsford bypass; and $16.5 million to begin construction of a replacement vessel for the Grand Manan ferry service.
In addition, the government announced it will complete the twinning of Route 1, from the United States border at St. Stephen to Route 2 at River Glade, by 2014 through a public-private partnership.
Also, $268.1 million will be invested to construct and upgrade provincial roads, highways and bridges, including a major investment to begin rehabilitation of the Princess Margaret Bridge in Fredericton.
Olscamp said out of the $386 million, about $51 million is earmarked for rural infrastructure projects.
In the Tantramar riding, the diversion route in Johnson's Mills along Route 935 will get under way and a 6.8-km stretch of Route 16 (from the Upper Cape Road to Immigrant Road) will be paved.
The MLA questioned, however, why work on the new road in Johnson's Mills didn't get started last year with the half-a-million dollars that was budgeted in 2008.
"I don't know where that money went," he said. "So I wonder whether this is just a repeat of the announcement they made last year."
The 2.3-km section of road in Johnson's Mills where the bank has been eroding for several years will be relocated inland and Olscamp said he believes there have been some environmental issues the government has had to deal with before proceeding with the project.
"It is an eco-sensitive area . . . they're moving on it hopefully but I'm disappointed they didn't start it last year."
Olscamp said he's also thankful Route 16 will get some much-needed paving in the Malden/Melrose area, a project he said is "long overdue."
But he also noted that there are several other sections along that highway that are in rough shape as well, including a section from Aulac to Pointe de Bute, and from Baie Verte to the Port Elgin traffic circle.
"These are projects that I've been continuing to lobby for," he said. "People in rural areas pay taxes like everyone else and they commute to work on these roads every day."
Olscmap said he also hopes to get his fair share of funds for grass and bush cutting this year, which is always needed in the Tantramar region. He estimated it would cost about $60,000 a year to maintain the sides of the roads in the riding but he usually receives less than $10,000 each year.
About $400,000 has been allotted for bush-cutting and signage for the entire province in 2009 and Olscamp said he will go after funding in particular for Route 106 (from Frosty Hollow to Cherry Burton Road) and for Route 960 (from the Cape Road to Cape Spear).
"This is basic maintenance we're talking about here," he said. "This is one of the least expensive ways to keep our roads safe."
Olscamp said he will also continue to lobby for funds to replace the two bridges along Route 955 - the bridges at Trout Brook and Chapman's Corner - that were washed out earlier this fall during the heavy rainstorm caused by Hurricane Hanna.
He said the two bridges have been replaced by temporary, one-lane structures but he'd like to see permanent bridges installed.