The Sydney Port Access Road (SPAR) was announced July 3, 2002 at a meeting held on the Sydney Steel Site as part of the EDM Land Use Report. SPAR is a joint effort by SYSCO, Nova Scotia Power and the CBRM with the support of JAG, Burnac Corporation and the Nova Scotia Transportation and Public Works Department. Visit our SPAR Gallery to view pictures of the progress of the SPAR.

The SPAR travels a distance of 5.2 km from the intersection of the 125 highway and Grand Lake Road to the former Devco Piers (with access to the Sysco Piers as well). Dan MacDonald of CBCL Engineering was the project manager and Riverside Developments of Sydney was the main contractor of the project. Slag from the Sydney Steel site was used as the main aggregate for the SPAR. Over 160,000 tons of slag was used during the construction period.

The SPAR will see the removal of coal trucks off Grand Lake Road and eventually the removal of garbage trucks off Welton Street. In addition, access to the Pier community will be developed so that Lingan Road will be accessible off the SPAR road. It is important to note that SPAR will be used for coal trucks as of January 2003, these trucks will not be new traffic at the 125 highway but rerouted traffic. In all the road has had a very positive impact on the community.

Update:
The SPAR opened on January 14, 2005 at 2 pm. The Minister Responsible for SYSCO, Ron Russell said: " The road will make a positive difference in the everyday lives for both businesses and residents of CBRM". "The government has honoured its commitment to the residents and the municipality by constructing and now transferring the deed for the Sydney Ports Access Road from SYSCO to the CBRM. This road will improve CBRM's highway infrastructure and provide a better environment for businesses to locate in the area".

Since the road's completion in 2003, it has only been used by truck traffic traveling between Highway 125 and the Sysco and Nova Scotia Power piers. The completion of the intersections at Lingan Road and Highway 125 now make it possible to open the road for the general public's use.

Prior to construction, the province listened to community concerns and suggestions for the roads alignment. The opening of the Access Road will help with traffic flows, open up new lands for future development and assist with the Tar Ponds Cleanup. Minister Russell said opening the Access Road "will also be of assistance in developing the SYSCO property into a significant industrial park by making it easier to attract new businesses and investment".

Minister Russell said he wishes to thank both CBRM and Nova Scotia Power for their cooperation with SYSCO in developing this important piece of infrastructure that will provide lasting benefits to businesses, residents and taxpayers alike".