Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Nova Scotia has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for engineering services to support an environmental assessment for the planned Hammonds Plains to Highway 101 connector.
Qualified firms have until April 10 to submit proposals.
The proposed five-kilometre link would connect Hammonds Plains Road near Sandy Lake with Exit 2 on Highway 101, creating a new route aimed at easing traffic congestion in the Halifax Regional Municipality and improving emergency access for nearby communities.
Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said the project marks an early step in addressing growing transportation pressures in the region.
“Anyone who has driven in Halifax Regional Municipality has experienced the increasingly congested roads,” Tilley said. “This is the first step in this project which, combined with other projects planned for the area, will relieve congestion and improve safety.”
The successful consultant will be tasked with assessing potential environmental impacts associated with the project and identifying measures to avoid, reduce or mitigate effects on wetlands, wildlife, watercourses and surrounding communities.
In addition to reducing congestion, the connector is expected to provide an alternative evacuation route for several neighbourhoods and could support future transit options in the area.
The environmental assessment is required under Nova Scotia’s Environmental Assessment Regulations. The connector project was first announced in October 2024 as part of a broader package of infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.
The project is also identified as a priority in the province’s Regional Transportation Plan, where it is listed under Action 1.2.3 as a key measure to address long-term transportation needs in the region.
Request for proposal package: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/Doc3006464537
