News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Parts of Route 1 will receive lighting upgrades as well as paving and other structural maintenance this summer.

Gateway Operations, which is responsible for the operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of Route 1 located between St. Stephen and River Glade (excluding the Saint John Harbour Bridge limits), will complete the work as part of their capital improvement plan.

“Our government is pleased that Gateway is maintaining infrastructure more effectively by respecting asset management principles to make strategic, evidenced-based decisions,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson. “We are proud that Gateway will be investing in improvements to energy retrofits as part of their agreement with the provincial government.”

The company will be replacing existing High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights with new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights.

“Current HPS light fixtures along Route 1, between Exit 114 and Exit 141 of the Saint John Throughway and Kennebecasis Valley, will be replaced with new LED fixtures,” said Emily Richard, communications manager for Gateway Operations. “The new LED fixtures will reduce energy consumption and help to minimize our carbon footprint on the environment, both being key objectives for electricity efficiency for the province.”

Route 1 will also receive road surfacing and structural improvements this summer as part of planned rehabilitation projects. The road resurfacing program consists largely of paving operations scheduled at various locations between Sussex and Saint John, including nine road kilometres of new road surfacing, westbound, between the Saint John Harbour Bridge and the Lorneville exit.

The structural improvements will include various concrete repairs to existing underpasses within the Saint John Throughway and the replacement of the waterproofing membrane on the westbound on ramp structure at Exit 122.

Gateway Operations has a 30-year Public-Private Partnership contract with the Province of New Brunswick, managed through the Route 1 Gateway Project Company and expiring June 30, 2040.

“Our government is focused on strategic infrastructure investments to boost our economy in the short-term through job creation and in the long-term through the maintenance and rehabilitation of our infrastructure resources,” said Melanson. “Rehabilitation projects and infrastructure renewal is essential to maintaining an efficient transportation network in our province.”

As summer construction projects have begun across the province, New Brunswickers are reminded to take precautions and reduce their speed in construction areas to ensure their own safety and the safety of construction crews.