Fish Population Studies of the Avon Estuary, Pesaquid Lake
Environmental Implications of
Expanding the Windsor Causeway (Part 2)
Introduction
Preliminary plans for twinning Highway 101 include expansion of the width of the Windsor Causeway to accommodate two or four additional lanes, creating a four or six lane divided highway. Because of the limitations imposed by infrastructure in the Town of Windsor, and by Fort Edward, such expansion is feasible only on the seaward side of the existing structure. Realignment of the existing roadway would also be designed to decrease the sharp curve at the western end, which currently requires a speed limit of 90 km per hour. The new construction would therefore cover part of the marsh and tidal channel adjacent to the existing causeway.
During 2002, studies of the mudflat—saltmarsh complex on the seaward side of the Windsor Causeway and of Pesaquid Lake, were carried out, in part, to provide information relevant to an assessment of the ecological implications of such an expansion. These studies also constituted the first step in a planned long term monitoring of continuing evolution of the marsh-mudflat complex that has resulted from construction of the original causeway. Reports on the 2002 studies were presented as ACER Publications 69 and 72 in 2003 (Daborn et al. 2003a, b). Subsequently, the Nova Scotia Department of Transport and Public Works indicated that it wished to have a comparison of the separate implications of the four and six-lane expansion options. The work was carried out by Dr. Danika van Proosdij of Saint Mary’s University during 2003.
In 2003, biological research conducted by ACER personnel was focussed on the movements of migratory and resident fish in the lower Avon River, Pesaquid Lake, and adjacent to the Windsor Causeway. Elevational studies were continued by Dr. van Proosdij and her team at Saint Mary’s University. The Final Report of the 2003 studies is in preparation (Daborn et al. 2004).
An alternative solution to the crossing issue, favoured by some local interest groups, is complete removal of the existing causeway and its replacement by a bridge of sufficient capacity to accommodate a four lane highway and the existing railway. While this alternative was not the subject of the 2002 study, the results provide information that is relevant to that issue.