Final Trans-Canada Highway extension project phase begins

Investing in Infrastructure -

Work on the final and largest phase of the Trans-Canada Highway extension project from North River to Clyde River has commenced.

The Trans-Canada Highway realignment builds on the ongoing investments by the Government of Prince Edward Island in our province’s infrastructure in order to foster economic growth, provide access to resources and markets, and allow for the safe, efficient transport of people and goods.
 
Set for completion in fall 2019, the new 7.8 kilometre stretch of highway will support the province’s growing economy, improve driver safety, stimulate the economy, and create a “main street” for the town of Cornwall. With less traffic, fewer intersections and more consistent speed limits, residents will have easier access to businesses and a safer community.

“This new Trans-Canada Highway extension route will ensure safe and efficient transport of people and goods along one of the busiest stretches of our Island’s highway system,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar.  “It will be a safe, modern highway that will allow more commercial and residential development  and improve our ability to get Island products to markets near and far.”

The construction work includes:

• realigning the Trans-Canada Highway from North River to Clyde River (including a new bridge over the Clyde River);
• overpasses for Linwood, Bannockburn, and Baltic roads;
• a diamond interchange at the Cornwall Road; and
• an interchange at the connection of the existing Trans-Canada Highway in Clyde River.

The safety of residents will improve by redirecting heavy truck and commuter traffic onto a limited access road away from children, students, pedestrians and cyclists. The project will also improve access to important community facilities such as the Terry Fox Sports Centre, APM Centre, and Cornwall Industrial Park.
 
“The restricted access along the existing Trans-Canada Highway has limited developments and forced undesirable traffic through our residential areas,” says Dean Lewis, planning and development officer for the Town of Cornwall. “The realignment project will allow the current highway to change to a main street with reduced speed limits, enhanced pedestrian safety and intersections that will allow better connectivity between the north and south portions of the town. The improvements to safety, access and commute times will nurture development growth for our town.”
 
The province has conducted a number of information sessions since the project was announced:

• for businesses along the proposed highway route;
• for property owners in the vicinity of all routes being considered for the highway; and
• a second session for affected property owners after the preferred route was selected.

At the request of residents, the province assessed current noise levels and modeled what future noise levels might be. It has committed to building noise-dampening berms that will also increase privacy for residents.
 
An environmental assessment was also completed which allowed the public and affected landowners the opportunity to make submissions about the highway project and its possible effects.

Backgrounder

• Each day during the peak periods, 26,400 vehicles travel the Trans-Canada Highway from Maypoint Road to York Point Road.
• Each day during the peak periods, 17,200 vehicles travel the Trans-Canada Highway from York Point Road to Meadowbank Road.
• As Prince Edward Island’s fourth-largest community, Cornwall has grown at almost twice the national rate. In 2011, the town had a population of 5,162, representing an increase of 10.4 per cent from 2006. This compares to the national average growth of 5.9 per cent.
• From 2009 to 2013, there were 159 collisions along the stretch of Trans-Canada Highway that will be rerouted.
• The Trans-Canada Highway Extension in Cornwall is anticipated to create over 500 jobs and generate $40 million in Gross Domestic Project within the provincial economy during the construction phase.

Media contact:

April Gallant

Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
902-368-5112
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca