CORNWALL – The owner of the Independent Grocer in Cornwall says a perimeter highway that takes traffic away from his business will be good for business.
Don Leary points to the seniors home across the busy Trans-Canada Highway to get across his point.
“There are several residents over there who would walk to my store but they won’t walk over if they have to cross four busy lanes of traffic,’’ Leary said. “It’s a safety issue. I think it’s a terrific idea.’’
The P.E.I. government announced Tuesday it will begin construction on a new $65-million highway (cost shared 50-50 with the federal government) that will bypass the town of Cornwall, with two roundabout projects on the Trans-Canada Highway closer to Charlottetown taking place this summer.
RELATED: P.E.I. government announces plans for $65 million Cornwall bypass
Wayne Peters of East Royalty, who was shopping in Cornwall, says it’s about time work got started.
“They’ve been talking about doing this for years,’’ Peters said, referring to the fact there has been talk of this project since 1991.
Peters said he likes the idea but he is concerned about what impact it will have on businesses in Cornwall.
“I think it’s a good idea but it’s going to bypass a lot of the businesses here.’’
Residents on Park Street in Cornwall, whose backyards front onto the Trans-Canada Highway, told The Guardian they are looking forward to a bit more quiet.
“It’s noisy, especially in the summer with all of those motor bikes,’’ said one woman who didn’t want to be identified. “It will be quieter, less busy.’’
Linda Iris said her house sometimes shakes because of the traffic.
“I would love to see it happen,’’ Iris said. “We moved here in 1993 and life would be so much quieter. (No one pays attention) to the speed signs.’’
Christine Nicholson didn’t mince words when asked for her reaction to the news.
“It’s about time,’’ Nicholson said.
Derek French, who works in Cornwall, thinks it will be a boost for business.
“It will be easier for people to come in and shop. The larger trucks will bypass (the town) and it will allow maybe a hardware store to come into the community and build,’’ French said.
Jean Marc Picard with the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association said it’s good news for his industry.
“Driving through any town (with) a big truck is nerve wracking for the driver. They share the road with pedestrians, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, you’ve got to watch everything,’’ Picard said. “You have a heavy load on the back so whenever they can have an alternate road that’s less busy . . . it’s good news for the entire industry.’’
Joe Murphy, executive director of the P.EI. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, said the announcement is good news for his workforce that is made up of 3,000 to 5,000 workers.
“It’s going to bring a lot of work to our industry,’’ Murphy said. “It is an industry that is having a slow summer.’’
P.E.I. Opposition Leader Jamie Fox is wondering why the MacLauchlan government has been so secretive about plans for the proposed $65 million highway project.
“Over the last few months we went through a capital budget, a throne speech and a regular budget but this project never came up once,’’ Fox said.
“Spending $65 million is a big undertaking. We know that communities across the Island have major infrastructure needs. The reason we’ve been calling for an infrastructure summit was to make sure that limited dollars go to projects that have the best bang for the buck.’’
CORNWALL – The owner of the Independent Grocer in Cornwall says a perimeter highway that takes traffic away from his business will be good for business.
Don Leary points to the seniors home across the busy Trans-Canada Highway to get across his point.
“There are several residents over there who would walk to my store but they won’t walk over if they have to cross four busy lanes of traffic,’’ Leary said. “It’s a safety issue. I think it’s a terrific idea.’’
The P.E.I. government announced Tuesday it will begin construction on a new $65-million highway (cost shared 50-50 with the federal government) that will bypass the town of Cornwall, with two roundabout projects on the Trans-Canada Highway closer to Charlottetown taking place this summer.
RELATED: P.E.I. government announces plans for $65 million Cornwall bypass
Wayne Peters of East Royalty, who was shopping in Cornwall, says it’s about time work got started.
“They’ve been talking about doing this for years,’’ Peters said, referring to the fact there has been talk of this project since 1991.
Peters said he likes the idea but he is concerned about what impact it will have on businesses in Cornwall.
“I think it’s a good idea but it’s going to bypass a lot of the businesses here.’’
Residents on Park Street in Cornwall, whose backyards front onto the Trans-Canada Highway, told The Guardian they are looking forward to a bit more quiet.
“It’s noisy, especially in the summer with all of those motor bikes,’’ said one woman who didn’t want to be identified. “It will be quieter, less busy.’’
Linda Iris said her house sometimes shakes because of the traffic.
“I would love to see it happen,’’ Iris said. “We moved here in 1993 and life would be so much quieter. (No one pays attention) to the speed signs.’’
Christine Nicholson didn’t mince words when asked for her reaction to the news.
“It’s about time,’’ Nicholson said.
Derek French, who works in Cornwall, thinks it will be a boost for business.
“It will be easier for people to come in and shop. The larger trucks will bypass (the town) and it will allow maybe a hardware store to come into the community and build,’’ French said.
Jean Marc Picard with the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association said it’s good news for his industry.
“Driving through any town (with) a big truck is nerve wracking for the driver. They share the road with pedestrians, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, you’ve got to watch everything,’’ Picard said. “You have a heavy load on the back so whenever they can have an alternate road that’s less busy . . . it’s good news for the entire industry.’’
Joe Murphy, executive director of the P.EI. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association, said the announcement is good news for his workforce that is made up of 3,000 to 5,000 workers.
“It’s going to bring a lot of work to our industry,’’ Murphy said. “It is an industry that is having a slow summer.’’
P.E.I. Opposition Leader Jamie Fox is wondering why the MacLauchlan government has been so secretive about plans for the proposed $65 million highway project.
“Over the last few months we went through a capital budget, a throne speech and a regular budget but this project never came up once,’’ Fox said.
“Spending $65 million is a big undertaking. We know that communities across the Island have major infrastructure needs. The reason we’ve been calling for an infrastructure summit was to make sure that limited dollars go to projects that have the best bang for the buck.’’