Sydney's road to nowhere may soon go somewhere

An impasse that has prevented the opening of a three-kilometre road built two years ago in Sydney may soon be broken, according to one of the parties involved in negotiations to solve the dispute.

The Sydney Port Access Road (SPAR) extension was intended to carry traffic across the former Sydney coke ovens site between Sydney Port Access Road and one of Sydney's main thoroughfares, Victoria Road.

It was meant to alleviate traffic, while clearing the way for development of the remediated property. But it's not yet open.

The crux of the dispute is a set of train tracks owned by Genesee and Wyoming Inc. that cross the new road just before it reaches SPAR. The company has refused permission for vehicles to cross the track, citing liability concerns.

The Sydney Coal Railway also stepped in with concerns. Its tracks cross Lingan Road, run parallel to SPAR and immediately opposite the entrance to the extension. The railway worried a Genesee and Wyoming train could back traffic up onto its line.

The dispute has been frustrating for Gary Campbell, president of Nova Scotia Lands, which manages the coke ovens and tar ponds property.

"It's hard to get a developer or sell property out there when you don't have proper access, which is key to opening that whole 150-acre site," he said.

Campbell said he hopes the extension will finally open in January after Nova Scotia Lands offered a solution to the concerns earlier this year.

It will install traffic signals at the crossing and hire a flag person to be on site when Genesee and Wyoming runs a train at the crossing, which happens an average of twice a year.

Representatives of the coal line were brought to the site last week to see first-hand where traffic signals will be installed.

"Hopefully, the coal company will be happy with the configuration of the traffic lights that will avoid any traffic (being) queued on their line and Transport Canada will be satisfied with how we do the flagging." Campbell said.