News Release

SAINT JOHN (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant recognized the contribution Horizon Management Ltd. continues to make to the local economy as the company outlined details of a future 72-hectare (180-acre) development in Saint John.

“Your government’s multi-year economic growth plan includes investing in our infrastructure to create jobs,” said Gallant. “This is a great example of how investing in infrastructure in the area has helped stimulate economic development in Saint John.”

Pending completion of an environmental impact assessment and other regulatory approvals, the vacant property bounded by Ashburn Lake Road and the Route 1 throughway will be developed into an upscale highway gateway for tourism, commerce, and the community that will include highway services, business and commercial properties, community services stores, and a residential area. The development is designed to enhance the region’s natural beauty and over one-third of the property will remain undeveloped and will be set aside as green space and recreational land.

“This will be a one-of-a-kind, international-quality development that will encourage visitors and travellers to stop in Greater Saint John,” said Troy Northrup, company developer. “I believe we have an impressive, grand vision of the property that will create a dramatic, inviting highway gateway for the community and will strengthen Saint John as a drive-in city and position it as a destination community.”

The project will be a multi-year, multi-phase development that could eventually see about 45,000 square metres (500,000 square feet) or more of new buildings constructed.

To support the development of this area of Saint John, the provincial government is undertaking pre-construction work on a proposed new interchange on Route 1 for a north-south connection between Foster-Thurston Drive and Ashburn Lake Road. Pre-construction work is expected to take about two and a half years, with construction anticipated to begin in the spring of 2021. The estimated cost of the project is $31.2 million.

In addition, measures to alleviate congestion and safety issues resulting from increased traffic and allowing drivers easier access to businesses in this rapidly expanding area have been undertaken. Four-way traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Rothesay Avenue and Rothesay Road to improve traffic flow at the main access to a new development next to Rothesay Road. Traffic signals will also be installed at the westbound off-ramp of Route 1 at Rothesay Avenue.