Peter Creedon's house of roads

NS 106

2006-07-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

Let's go to PEI!

Start: Pictou
End: Ferry terminal

Overview:
A TCH Spur, 106 provides acces to PEI via a ferry.

Pavement:
Good. Very Good.

Signage:
Very clear and it's bilingual too!

Lighting:
Very bright and new.

Aesthetics:
The road is somewhat scenic.

Access:
Trunk 6 ties into 106 and the interchanges are at-grade. There is a rotary.

Traffic:
Heavy, expecially near the ferry.

Scores:

P:********
S:**********
L:**********
A:**********
A:**********
T:****

Score: 5.2
Grade: A++ A sure bet road.

NS 105

2006-07-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, traveling Cape Breton!

Start: Port Hawkesbury
End: North Sydney

Overview:
The last piece of the TCH on the mainland. 105 has replaced 5 the whole way.

Pavement:
It's well worn trust me.

Signage:
Its clear, what else could you want?

Lighting:
It's ok. not the best.

Aesthetics:
The views of the Bras D'Or are alright.

Access:
All the intersections are at-grade.

Traffic:
Can be heavy near Sydney.

Scores:

P:****
S:*******
L:*******
A:********
A:****
T:*******

Score: 3.7
Grade: C+

NS 104

2006-07-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Trans-Canada Highway for pretty much all of its length except on Cape Breton.

Start: New Brunswick
End: River Tillard

Overview:
This is the TCH. Nova Scotia is the last mainland province before Newfoundland.

Pavement:
Wow, you could do a hell of a better job next time.

Signage:
Clear and concise.

Lighting:
Very Good. very clear.

Aesthetics:
Somewhat scenic. You could do better.

Access:
Mostly grade seperated, but there are some at grade.

Traffic:
Very heavy from 102 westward.

Scores:

P:**
S:********
L:********
A:*****
A:*****
T:**

Score: 3.2
Grade: C

NS 103

2006-07-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

The south shore expressway.

Start: Yarmouth
End: Halifax

Overview:
103 is a 100 series highway. that is meant to replace Hwy 3.

Pavement:
The pavement is in remarkable condition, despite being heavily travelled.

Signage:
103 has BGS's, that are very new.

Lighting:
103 has ome decent lighting.

Aesthetics:
Very Scenic. Despite it's status.

Access:
Unlike the other 100 series routes, 103 has many at grade intersections.

Traffic:
Lighter towards Yarmouth. There is a gap in 103 in the town of Barrington that the Highway department is closing, by building a new one.

Scores:

P:*********
S:*********
L:*********
A:*********
A:********
T:********

Score: 5.2
Grade: A+ A sure bet road.

NS 102

2006-07-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Central Expressway.

Start: Halifax
End: Truro

Overview:
A six lane freeway going down the middle of the province.

Pavement:
Solid and in good condition.

Signage:
Clear and concise.

Lighting:
Very good.

Aesthetics:
Very scenic.

Access:
Grade seperated. Exit ramps are everywhere.

Traffic:
Bad in Halifax.

Scores:

P:********
S:*********
L:**********
A:********
A:**********
T:****

Score: 4.9
Grade: B+

NS 101

2006-07-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

101 is the "North Shore Express Route."

Start: Yarmouth
End: Bedford

Overview:
This is what the Nova Scotians call an interstate. A Super 2, and it is dangerous. Plans are calling for twinning.

Pavement:
Nice. A little bit shaky in Bedford, but out of the city, it gets better.

Signage:
Clear and Concise. 101 uses BGS's.

Lighting:
good.

Aesthetics:
Despite being a 100 series route, this highway is very scenic.

Access:
The highway mainly has grade seperated exits, but some at-grades exist too.

Traffic:
The worst is seen near Halifax. It gets better outside of the city.

Scores:

P:*********
S:*********
L:********
A:*********
A:*********
T:*****

Score: 4.9
Grade: B+

Cabot Trail

2006-07-06T18:39:00.000-07:00

The Cabot Trail is known as Trunk CT.

Start: Buckwheat Corner
End: South Haven

Overview:
While not numbered, CT is best known for its stunning views of northern Cape Breton.

Pavement:
Beautiful.

Signage:
Very Clear. Concise.

Lighting:
Lighting is good.

Aesthetics:
Stunningly scenic.

Access:
Very Accessible.

Traffic:
Despite its beauty, Traffic can be a problem.

Scores:

P:**********
S:**********
L:**********
A:**********
A:**********
T:********

Score: 6
Grade: A++ A sure bet road!

NS 28

2006-07-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Going on a short trip? take 28.

Start: Sydney
End: Glace Bay

Overview:
A highly built up road that serves the Sydney metro area.

Pavement:
Worn, but still good.

Signage:
Great.

Lighting:
The lighting on this highway is very good.

Aesthetics:
This is the Marconi Trail. The road is very scenic.

Access:
Very accessible.

Traffic:
Somewhat heavy.

Scores:

P:******
S:******
L:******
A:*******
A:*******
T:*******

Score: 3.9
Grade: C

NS 22

2006-07-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Vive Le Louisbourg!

Start: Sydney
End: Louisbourg

Overview:
A Hanging end route, this is the Fleur De lis trail, that ends at the fortress of Louisbourg

Pavement:
Great condition.

Signage:
Very good signage.

Lighting:
Good in the towns.

Aesthetics:
Very scenic. In fact it doesn't get any better than this.

Access:
Very accessible.

Traffic:
There are traffic problems in Sydney.

Scores:

P: **********
S: *********
L: *********
A:**********
A:*********
T:******

Score: 5
Grade: A= A sure bet road

NS 19

2006-07-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Discover hick Cape Breton on NS 19.

Start: Port Hawkesbury
End: Somewhere near Baddeck

Overview:
Welcome to the Boonies of Nova Scotia! 19 is a narrow road, that curves and winds.

Pavement:
Oh boy, very very bad.

Signage:
Bad. in fact it's nonexistant.

Lighting:
None, your car has high beams doesn't it?

Aesthetics:
Very scenic, that's this roads saving grace.

Access:
Well, you're on your own.

Traffic:
This road is part of the Celidh Trail. There's some traffic.

Scores:

P:*
S:**
L:
A:**********
A:*
T:**********

Score: 3.4
Grade: C

NS 16

2006-07-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all going to Canso? if so, take me!

Start: Monastery
End: Canso

Overview:
The last of the mainland trunk routes, 16 follows Chedabucto Bay.

Pavement:
Not the best. some pretty good cracks here and there.

Signage:
Good signage. Mediocre in spots.

Lighting:
Nonexistent in most places.

Aesthetics:
Very scenic road. Great pull-overs.

Access:
Several roads tie into 16, and connections to Hwy 7 can be made.

Traffic:
The only traffic you'll have to deal with, is with locals.

Scores:

P:****
S:******
L:**
A:*******
A:******
T:*******

Score: 3.2
Grade: C

NS 14

2006-07-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

Take the loop outside of Halifax. Take 14!

Start: Chester
End: Shubenacadie

Overview:
14 is a two lane road that traverses the spruce forests of S. Nova Scotia,

Pavement:
Good. Actually it was new when I travelled it.

Signage:
Good. Towns are well marked.

Lighting:
Not the best, but it's there.

Aesthetics:
Very Scenic.

Access:
Many local roads feed into it.

Traffic:
A lot of locals use this route to avoid Halifax.

Scores:

P:*******
S:******
L:****
A:*******
A:*******
T:*****

Score: 3.3
Grade: C

NS 12

2006-07-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Going from Mahone Bay to the North Shore are we? Then listen up!

Start: Chester Basin
End: Kentville

Overview:
NS 12, is yet another scenic route that traverses the peninsula.

Pavement:
Great condition. like glass.

Signage:
Signage is great, easy to understand.

Lighting:
Somewhat absent from the highway.

Aesthetics:
The highway is very scenic, and will provide a nice ride compared to the drab setting of the 100 series highways.
Access:
A great deal of 200 series routes tie into the highway, so you can travel from 10 to 12 very easily.
Traffic:
The road is lightly traveled.

Scores:

P:********
S:********
L:********
A:********
A:********
T:********

Score: 4.8
Grade: B

NS 10

2006-07-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

Nothing like seeing spruce trees is there?

Start: Bridgewater
End: Middleton

Overview:
10 is the second route to cross from south to north, across the peninsula. it follows the La Have River from Bridgewater to New Germany.

Pavement:
Nice. good fresh pavement when I happend upon her.

Signage:
Not too bad, it could be worse.

Lighting:
Found only in the towns.

Aesthetics:
Beautifully scenic, this route is my choice for crossing the lower Nova Scotia peninsula

Access:
10 has many smaller roads connecting to it, so it has good access.

Traffic:
Not bad, as I said above, it could be worse.

Scores:

P:*********
S:******
L:*****
A:*********
A:********
T:*********

Score: 4.6
Grade: B

NS 8

2006-06-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

Anybody want to visit Kejimkujik National park with me? Any takers?

Start: Liverpool
End: Annapolis Royal

Overview:
Known as the Kejimkujik scenic drive, this highway cuts across the peninsula of Nova Scotia.

Pavement:
Not the best quality, there are cracks everywhere.

Signage:
Good. Points to where Keji is.

Lighting:
Horrific, only exists in the major towns.

Aesthetics:
Very scenic road, the best part of that is, if you like spruce trees.

Access:
Access is pretty much nonexistent, only if you like the shitty 200 series roads.

Traffic:
The only traffic on this road, is for Keji.

Scores:

P:***
S:*****
L:*
A:******
A:**
T:******

Score: 2.3
Grade: D

NS 7

2006-06-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing like visiting Ecum Secum is there?

Start: Bedford
End: Antigonish

Overview:
7 is basically the downeast route 66.

Pavement:
Shitty, and bad. cracks everywhere.

Signage:
It's alright, not the the best.

Lighting:
Alright, who turned the lights out?

Aesthetics:
Scenic, thats this roads saving grace.

Accesss:
Well, when I said that this highway is in the boondocks, I didn't lie, did I?

Traffic:
Well, they built this pointless 100 series counterpart near Halifax. Traffic is another saving grace for this road.

Scores:

P:*
S:**
L:*
A:****
A:*
T:******

Score: 1.5Grade: F

NS 6

2006-06-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

I like the North shore of Nova Scotia, don't you?

Start: Pictou
End: Amherst

Overview:
NS 6, is a well traveled road, in the northern part of Nova Scotia.

Pavement:
For being so well travelled, the pavement has kept up. The stripes are still there.

Signage:
Very clear and concise. Every warning is clearly marked.

Lighting:
Average. The lights are mainly found in towns, and on some stretches.

Aesthetics:
6 is very scenic, and it traverses the acadian country.

Access:
6 is easy to reach. most collector roads feed into it.

Traffic:
6 has a lot of traffic,especially outside of pictou.

Scores:

P:******
S:******
L:*****
A:*******
A:*******
T:****

Score: 4
Grade: B

Raod Atlas Review: Michelin N. America

2006-06-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

This road atlas was bought for 18.95; at Barnes and Noble, in Hyannis, MA.

Layout: Not that big of a hit with me. I'm used to individual states, not geographic areas.

Details: For large coverage areas, it sure is detailed.

Portability: Easy to take along.

Binding: Spiral bound.

Overall, this is an ok road atlas.

Rating: 4/5 *

NS Hwy 4

2006-06-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Anytime you would like to go through the Cobequid Mountains with me, call me 'kay?

Start: Amherst
End: Sydney

Overview:
Hwy 4, is perhaps one of the most infamous highways of Nova Scotia, because it has many twists and turns.

Pavement:
The Pavement is crappy. no, actually its pretty shitty.

Signage:
This roads saving grace.

Lighting:
Not good.

Aesthetics:
Very Scenic, especially in Cape Breton.

Access:
The Road is accessible, from many areas of Nova Scotia.

Traffic:
This used to be part of the TCH, but now that designation is on Hwy 104, its 100 series highway counterpart. With that, the traffic is mainly on 104.

Scores:

P:*
S:******
L:***
A:******
A:******
T:******

Score: 2.4
Grade: D

NS Highway 2

2006-06-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

Traveling from Halifax to New Brunswick are we? Well then you might want to read this.

Start:Halifax
End: New Brunswick

Overview:
This highway starts out in Halifax, and heads westward out of the city, following the bay of fundy's uppermost coast. It ends in Amherst, at the New Brunswick Border.

Pavement:
Good condition in the city. It worsens somewhat out in the rural areas.

Signage:
Good. That's all I'm gonna say.

Lighting:
The road is well lit. good lighting in the cities

Aesthetics:
The road is scenic in its upper reaches.

Access:
Well accessable.

Traffic:
2 has lost a lot of its traffic to its 100 series counterpart; 102.

Scores:

P:*****
S:*****
L:*******
A:*********
A:********
T:**********

Score: 4.4

Grade: B

Review of NS 3

2006-06-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ahh, nothing like the smell of fish to get you on the road eh? This gem of a road extends from the Acadian country, to the Cosmopolitan City of Halifax.

Start: Yarmouth
End: Halifax

Overview:
Hwy 3, is a winding two laner that goes through some pretty unique towns, such as the Pubnico's, Barrington, Argyle, and Shelburne.

Pavement:
The pavement on Hwy 3, is in very good shape, unlike it's other partner; Hwy 1. The center stripes, were fresh when I was there.

Signage:
The signage is excellent. Bright, Green signs, point to where you need to go.

Lighting:
This is an issue in the smaller towns, but other than that, there is lighting on the road.

Aesthetics:
The hwy is known as the Lighthouse Route. It is scenic.

Access:
There are numerous access points along the road, especially from 100 series highway 103.

Traffic:
3 used to be the route from Yarmouth to Halifax. Since the late seventies, it has been losing traffic to highway 103.

Scores:
P:**********
S:********
L:*****
A:********
A:******
T:*******

Total Score: 4.4
Grade: B

Road related sites

2006-06-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

www.yackon.com
www.groups.google.com
www.roadfan.com
www.aaroads.com
www.aaroadtrips.com
www.interstate-guide.com

First review: NS Hwy 1

2006-06-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Ahh, Nova Scotia, land of the acadians, good food, and bad roads. NS Hwy 1, is no exception.

Start: Yarmouth
End: Bedford

overview:
This route, traverses the bay of fundy shore. It serves Digby, Kentville, and Halifax.

Pavement:
The Pavement on this highway, is cheap. It's got cracks, and other faults. The center stripe, is well worn away. It has lost a deal of traffic to its 100 series counterpart: 101.

Signage:
Horrific. Just plain horrific. there is disturbing amount of signage missing.

Lights:
No lighting in some places. That is bad. In some states, they would decomission the highway.

Aesthetics:
The route is very scenic. That's the only good thing this highway has.

Access:
The highway can be accessed easily.

Traffic:
Very little of it.

Scores (all out of 10):

P: *****
S: **
L: *
A: *******
A: ********
T: **********

Score: 3.2
Grade: C