Two major highway projects that are expected to improve traffic flow in and around Prince Edward Island's capital city get underway this week.
Work begins on a $6.5-million expansion to the Charlottetown perimeter highway between Murchison Lane and Park Street.
The highway will be expanded to four lanes between the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Irving near the Hillsborough Bridge.
Improvements will also be made to the Exhibition Drive and Garfield Street intersections as well as the Northridge/St. Peter's Road intersection.
A second section of highway in Stratford will also be expanded to four lanes.
The 1.5-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway is between the Hillsborough Bridge and Clinton Avenue.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea and Transportation Minister Ron MacKinley took part in a photo opportunity to mark the beginning of both projects on Monday.
"The expansion and realignment of the Charlottetown perimeter highway at Riverside Drive will improve safety and improve the efficient movement of people and goods on one
of the province's busiest sections of highway," said MacKinley.
Federal and provincial governments announced up to $6.5 million in funding to support the perimeter highway expansion project.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $3.25 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the province of Prince Edward Island through Build P.E.I.
The governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are contributing up to $1.3 million
in funding for the Stratford project.
The Government of Canada is contributing up to $650,000 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, with a matching contribution from the province of Prince Edward Island through Build P.E.I.
Two major highway projects begin this week
Two major highway projects begin this week
- Published on May 18th, 2010
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Staff ~ The Guardian
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Comments
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- Well Well
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:36:45
Just wondering if Ronald will be wearing his helmet while inspecting these projects?
If he's riding his ole stud Lee-Roy he better have it on, Also Ron don't forget your Cell-Phone. Hope the horse is equiped with a BLUETOOTH! lol -
- Kevin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:29:08
This is all well and good and in my opinion a valid expenditure. I do, however get a little ticked when the words the federal government and the PEI government are used. When in fact YOUR tax dollars should be the words used.
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- FloMo
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:23:20
Hey Mat,
Tens of thousands of vehicles use this stretch of highway every day. In fact, more vehicles use this section of road than most roads in Summerside combined. So 4 lanes at least is needed here. We need the upgraded highways around this city to get us out of the sixties highways we've had to put up with. Bring it on!! It's about time! -
- Bypass Ben
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:20:57
Now if Ronnie would only change the Kensington Road and Hillsborough Neighborhood Lights into right in / right outs (no lights), then the by-pass MIGHT be faster to take then going through Charlottetown. Until access is cut to this so called by-pass it will remain the joke of Charlottetown.
Right now its referred to as the By-Pass not because you by-pass Charlottetown, but rather because time passes you by while you wait at all the lights. -
- Mat
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:15:14
Can someone explain me why we need to have the highway expanded to four lanes between the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Irving near the Hillsborough Bridge. Is there a reason? no, is this Toronto or Montreal? No, waste of money again
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- BigFrog
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:11
Charlottetown has the worst signage of any city I've ever travelled in. I hope they get it right along this stretch. Summerside has all those real nice overhead signs telling you where to go and here in Ch'town they are nowhere to be found.
One sign, is the small 2'x2' University Ave sign on Capital Dr. It doesn't say City Centre, nothing, and it is barely visible. How many times have I've seen folks get lost at the Peter Pan corner and turn right at the light or go straight into the Mall and realize they are lost.
Come on! who is running this city anyway.
We need proper signage on the NR Causeway pointing the way to the bypass, city centre, etc. University Ave, the bypass, tons of work needs to done here.
Lets get with it. It's 2010 for petes sake! Just because Ronnie has GPS in his car doesn't mean all the tourists have them.
Notice, all the monies are for road projects and nothing is left for signage.
Poor planning and it shows! -
- John B.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:45
Maybe this is the year that Mr.McKinley would get the MERGE signs all drawn the same and EDUCATE MOTORISTS TO USE THEM PROPERLY and SIGNAL TO EXIT THEM. Use of the MERGE area as a SPEEDWAY is also UNACCEPTABLE....
