The following summary of the Open Conversations held on April 25th was captured by the conversation leader.  We want to continue the dialogue, so please use the form below to provide us with your big, blue sky ideas!

Session Convenor:  Andrew Oland

Main Points from Discussion:

  1. Need comprehensive regional transportation plan for Greater Saint John that connects with national international systems/corridors
  2. Needs of business and general population to be considered
  3. Rail, car, sea, bike, walking, residential
  4. Many regulatory and financial issues
  5. Businesses need a social license to operate so transportation needs must serve needs of many stakeholders
  6. Integrate all transportation services, all connected
  7. Use Canaport investment to help other development
  8. Need $, community support to make a win win win
  9. Get ahead of the negative aspects (i.e. 3x potash trains through Rothesay and Saint John with potash expansion)
  10. Need to connect east and west Saint John (identify and solve key problems/opportunities)
  11. Many proposals looked at a series of one-off’s – no comprehensive regional plan
  12. Ultimately expand to other areas of regional planning
  13. Transportation is a fundamental building block for a community/economy
  14. We need 25-year plan
  15. Partnership public and private sector
  16. Need innovation
    • Possible partners:
      • Federal and NB Department of Transport
      • Private sector
      • Greater Saint John Community
  17. Municipalities do not have a strong mandate this area
  18. Shovel ready vs. long lead time
  19. Study complete—in 2010
  20. Lots of local expertise—do not need lot of consultants
    • need someone/organization to be the glue
    • $ Budget required
  21. Sell Investment (ROI) vs. make work projects to government stakeholders
  22. Possible tie into the Atlantic Gateway Leadership Council
  23. Southern NB Gateway Council 
    • Al Soppitt, Chair
    • But needs dollars
  24. Potential good champion SJ BOT Transportation Forum
  25. Need More efficiency from present transportation system
    • More efficient utilization of transportation system moving people and goods
  26. Population density 
  27. New kinds of infrastructure
  28. Help companies reduce business risk
  29. i.e. Connect to Partridge Island via a rail spur
    • Rail link to partridge Island -- Park ie. Central Park