Safety Report Expected for Sydney's Grand Lake Road/Kytes Hill

The province is expecting a final report outlining recommendations to improve road safety at the Grand Lake Road/Kytes Hill intersection in Sydney by late September.

The province hired consultants Hatch Mott MacDonald to review the area to address safety concerns from residents.

"Residents have told us that safety is an issue on this road and I agree," said Maurice Smith, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "I'm looking forward to reading the recommendations and hearing from people who live in the area, then we can act quickly to put safety measures in place."

Following a public meeting held in April to hear residents' concerns, the consultants worked with a steering committee of representatives from Cape Breton Regional Municipality, local police, and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal to identify possible solutions to improve road safety.

While waiting for the consultant's report, the province took action to install short-term safety measures, including:

• new and clearer painted road lines, including edge lines
• installation of new and oversize signs in the area. Signs more clearly identify intersections, turning directions and speed limits
• tree removal/brush clearing where needed
• electronic speed-feedback signs located east and westbound on the Grand Lake Road so people know how fast they’re going.

Once the final report is received, the province will schedule a public meeting.

Hatch Mott MacDonald's presentation to residents during the April public meeting can be found at: http://novascotia.ca/tran/highways/kyteshillapr25.pdf