Underhay, who is an avid biker, had his four-year-old son Oliver in his bike trailer.
“It scared me,” said Underhay, reflecting on that day. “I realized that just by doing that I was putting my child at risk.”
Soon Underhay and other cyclists will be able to cross it safely after the province announced Thursday, an active transportation lane will be built along the bridge in conjunction with the wastewater delivery pipeline from Stratford to Charlottetown.
“I was positively thrilled,” said Underhay, who was at the Charlottetown Port Authority Wharf for the announcement. “Our current infrastructure does not safely allow you to get from Charlottetown to Stratford without feeling like you are in traffic.”
The Charlottetown resident has been a strong advocate for safer cycling paths in Charlottetown, Cornwall and Stratford.
Last fall, Underhay had more than 300 signatures for a petition that was tabled in the legislature by Peter Bevan-Baker seeking safer routes, including one along the Hillsborough Bridge.
Stratford Mayor David Dunphy said Stratford residents will welcome the addition.
“The active transportation corridor has been the No. 1 issue raised by our residents in terms active transportation over the last number of years so our residents are going to be very (very) happy.”
Premier Wade MacLauchlan said they are looking to add this lane to the bridge so that cyclists and others will be able to cross between Stratford and Charlottetown safely in a lane of their own.
“With growing populations on both sides of the bridge, it has become clear to governments at all levels that safe public infrastructure needs to be in place to accommodate those who choose not to drive by car over the bridge,” said MacLauchlan.
Underhay said the project promotes a healthier and active lifestyle, combats climate change by encouraging more people to bike instead of drive and also saves money on highway wear and tear.
He adds there are a lot of places in P.E.I. that could benefit from cycling infrastructure and hopes to see this in the future.
However in the meantime, he is looking forward to the day he can safely take his son across the Hillsborough Bridge.
“It’s a huge step in the right direction,” said Underhay.
Mike Connolly, executive director of Cycling P.E.I., gave government props at the announcement for making this a reality since this bridge has been a major issue for cyclists.
“For this to happen it is a major coup for all levels of government,” said Connolly. “I know there is going to be a whole load of cyclists that are going to be very excited about this.”
MacLauchlan said they plan to submit a funding application to the federal government in coming weeks and will soon be consulting cyclists, municipal officials and other user groups to design this new lane.
