Trunk 7 Interchange
Roadway Configuration: Highway 104 will cross over Trunk 7
Extensive detailed design of Highway 104 has taken place since the alignment of the new twinned portion of Highway 104 at Antigonish was determined. As a result of the design process, there have been a few changes to the originally presented highway plan.
One of those changes involves the configuration of the twinned highway and road at the Trunk 7 interchange. The original design called for Trunk 7 to be built over the twinned highway. The revised design has the highway built over Trunk 7. This change will reduce the amount of land impacted by construction, and will facilitate construction of the intersection by working with existing elevations near Trunk 7.
Particular attention was paid to the effect on noise and viewplanes of the revised highway design. Modeling by noise experts has demonstrated that there is no significant difference in noise if the highway passes over rather than under Trunk 7. With the use of Jersey barriers – low barriers put on the side of the highway to control drainage and obstruct noise from tires – and natural elevation in the area, there will be no increased noise for residents and businesses as a result of the change in the elevation of the highway.
The modeling also demonstrated that viewplanes will not be impacted by the revised design. Only the tops of large vehicles will be seen from the base of the interchange. Several illustrations of the intersection are available from this modeling exercise:
- Modeled view of the intersection from a reference point on Heritage Drive in Lower West River
- Modeled view of the intersection from the overpass
- Modeled view of the on-ramp
Roundabouts
The Highway 104 and Trunk 7 interchange will incorporate the use of roundabouts rather than straight entrance and exit ramps with signalized intersections. In fact, all of the interchanges of Highway 104 at Antigonish will consist of roundabouts. Roundabouts were chosen for the interchanges because of several benefits including:
- Driver and pedestrian safety;
- Reduced vehicle emissions;
- Better traffic flow; and
- Less land use, reducing the footprint of the highway and cost of construction.
Please see the Roundabouts section for more information.
Additional Information
Noise modeling report
Trunk 7 Overpass Fact Sheet
Roundabouts Fact Sheet