FREDERICTON, N.B. – The Department of Transportation is sizing up a report on the construction of a full highway interchange and upgrading Hanwell Road.

Mike Trites, assistant deputy minister and chief engineer for the department, says transportation officials are assessing a report from ADI Ltd. that spells out technical issues related to the upgrading of Hanwell Road and a possible interchange at the Trans-Canada Highway.

The report provides a traffic volume review, an assessment of current and future service levels and options for upgrading.

ADI looked at six design options for a complete set of on/off-ramps at the interchange. It narrowed the discussion to the two best configurations.

ADI estimates that traffic counts of 12,300 per day will grow by 51 per cent over the next 20 years to 17,900 vehicles, even if the road isn’t improved.

The report states that numbers at intersections along the city portion of Hanwell Road will hit between 22,200 and 25,400 at key intersections such as the one at Hanwell and Bishop Drive and between Bishop Drive and the Route 8 ramps.

ADI has figured it will cost between $4 million and $5 million to upgrade the road and another $6.4 million to build the on/off-ramps.

The report has been handed to the Hanwell Road Action Committee, who have been campaigning to have this construction put in place. Hanwell Road has become home to an expanding number of transportation-related enterprises.

With the ADI study in hand, the lobby group now has the opportunity to return with information and questions to the Department of Transportation.