Province closes Fredericton highway exit to suburb for safety reasons

Citing concerns about safety, the New Brunswick government is closing an exit ramp from Route 7, also known as the Vanier Highway, into the Skyline Acres neighbourhood of Fredericton.

"I have concerns about the safety of not only the travelling public using the exit, but also the safety of those living in the immediate area of the exit ramp," Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Richard Ames said in a news release.

The Liverpool Street exit has been the site of several accidents, including vehicles leaving the highway and striking a sound berm.

A spokesperson for Fredericton police said its records, as of October 2023, indicate there were at least six crashes at the exit over the past two years.

After a crash last summer, members of a neighbourhood discussion group described it as a "hairpin" turn and noted it was a "relic" of the days when the highway had only two lanes and a lower speed limit.

It's currently a four-lane, divided highway and the speed limit is 90 km/h in that area in the westbound lanes.

The exit leads vehicles onto a quiet residential street, close to homes. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)

The Transportation Department took some measures to improve safety at the exit, according to the Thursday news release, including better lighting, larger signs to indicate the speed limit on the ramp, and reflective chevrons.

Ames suggested those measures did not sufficiently address the issues.

"After further review, action needed to be taken, so the exit ramp is being closed," he said.

The release said a safety review done earlier this year found several design elements of the exit were "substandard," said the news release.

The closure will take effect at 9 a.m. on March 4.

The ramp from Liverpool Street onto Route 7 will remain open.

Neighbours don't want ramp to close

Two residents of the area who happened to be outdoors Thursday and agreed to speak to CBC News were not in favour of the closure.

Michael Wood, who lives on Southampton Drive, said he understands the safety concerns.

"Over the years, we've seen a lot of incidents at that ramp," he said.

He doesn't wish to see it close, however.

Many people make use of the exit, he said, and recent measures have made a difference.

"We have noticed much less of a problem the last few months after they upgraded the signage for the ramp," said Wood.

Michael Wood lives on Southampton Drive, near the exit. He says although there's been several accidents, the safety measures already put in have helped. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)

He suggested a better solution would be further improvements to signage.

"If they put something as simple as, 'Slow down for ramp,' that would certainly help a lot," said Wood.

Robin Beyea, who lives on Liverpool Street, also likes having the exit there.

She acknowledged there have been accidents but doesn't think such a drastic move is needed.

Robin Beyea lives on Liverpool Street and said she doesn't want the exit to close, but acknowledges that having exits so close together is confusing. (Jennifer Sweet/CBC)

"I feel like they could just do a rumble strip or something to slow people down," she said.

Like Wood, she also feels further sign improvements could be made.

Beyea noted there are three exits in quick succession — one for Liverpool Street, one for Route 8 north and one for Route 8 south — and it's "not obvious" which is which.

"I think it's confusing for people," she said.

In her mind, closing the on-ramp would do more to improve safety.

"The cars drive really fast going onto the highway, which is dangerous for our street. … You can tell they're going faster than the speed limit through here," said Beyea.

She also worries the closure will make Kimble Drive — the previous exit — "really, really busy."

"Everyone's going to have to go around there," said Beyea.