I don't know about you guys, but I personally envision a pair of high level bridges (or just one) over the Canso Strait, and then removing the causeway. (if that's possible)
Perhaps years in the future!
High level bridges would be cost prohibitive for the amount of traffic at the Causeway......current AADT is about 8300. The swing-span over the canal can be an impediment to free-flow and I’ve spent time waiting for a boat to clear but the great majority of traffic does move without having to stop.
The causeway is 200’ deep with a base width of 800’ at the centre of the strait...so a lot of rock to move! Guess they could remove the top but that will never happen. Although the environmental regulations we have today would probably never have permitted the causeway to be built.....it did create one of the best ice-free harbours anywhere. There are no restrictions at all to vessel size or depth docking at the port on the south (Atlantic) side and it does not freeze....but the north (Gulf) side does pack with ice in the winter. There is also a difference in tides from one side to the other.... and the reason for the lock in the canal at the swing bridge.
If memory serves me correct, as I have not been across the Canso Causeway in over 2 years now, don't you experience a fairly long descent before you reach the causeway? Before this descent, couldn't they build the bridge from there? I am just thinking out loud and haven't sized it up too much.
Yes there’s a slight decent on the CB side down from the rotary and tourist bureau (you can see it behind the Welcome to CB sign in the photo above).....and what I could envision is a new lift span but with a higher clearance to permit larger vessels* to pass without the need of a lift. If you started the new bridge approach on this slope.....you could return to grade again about mid way across the causeway.
(*a lot of the boat traffic is a tug and barge or small pleasure craft with a mast/sail....so not really all that high)
You would also have to take into consideration there is still an active rail line on the causeway and trains aren’t going to climb grades like vehicles. The railway has applied to abandon the line east to Sydney but there’s still a fair amount of rail business in the Port Hawkesbury area so the tracks across the causeway aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. There is currently $9m in work being done on the existing bridge right now so even its replacement is probably years in the future.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canso-causeway-swing-bridge-improvements-1.3357725 Once on Cape Breton, I envision that Hwy 104 would replace Trunk 4, speaking of Trunk 4, does it take significantly longer to reach Hwy 125 when you take Trunk 4 instead of Hwy 105? It is something I've always wondered for years and I'm sure you know the answer. I'm not too much of a fan of Hwy 105 myself honest, mainly because of the very few passing lane situations it has.
I drive the 4, 104 and 105 at least every couple of weeks and never consider the lack of passing lanes an impediment. The only time there is any appreciable amount of traffic on the 105 is westbound after a Newfoundland Ferry has arrived at North Sydney (and that is 2 or 3 times a day) They handle 500 vehicles and traffic can stay bunched together for a considerable distance although there are long passing lanes at Boularderie Island, Kellys Mountain and Baddeck. Eastbound traffic is more sporadic.
Don’t think there is any twinning planned on CB in the foreseeable future other than the completion of the 125. Even the proposed ”˜Tolled’ NS104 from St Peters to Sydney would be a Super 2. Once beyond Port Hawkesbury.....the AADT on TCH105 at Queensville is about 4000 and on NS4 beyond St Peters is 2000 in the Big Pond area ......climbing to about 4000 AADT toward Sydney.
The Causeway to the 125 at North Sydney via TCH105 takes about an hour and a half.....the Causeway to the 125 at Sydney via the 104 and 4....about 1:40.
And on a lighter side.....those AADT numbers could climb if Trump should win the US Presidency! A local DJ created a web site inviting Americans to move to Cape Breton if Trump wins. It’s got a lot of coverage throughout the US and even CNN sent a crew here on Super Tuesday...and the CB tourism website hits have jumped over 900%.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/03/world/trump-cape-breton-amanpour/http://cbiftrumpwins.com/