Residents of West Prince and visitors alike will be better able to enjoy the North Cape Coastal Drive in 2011 thanks to the completion of the Kildare Bridge replacement, says Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Ron MacKinley.
“This project shows once again that this government is committed to the well- being of rural Islanders,” said Minister MacKinley. “By replacing the old Kildare Bridge with an updated and expanded version, we are improving safety for all road users.”
The $2.4-million Build PEI bridge replacement project began at the end of July and was completed on schedule. The old bridge had reached the end of its service life and had to be replaced. It was built in 1951. The new bridge was built ten meters longer and four meters wider to allow additional space for farm machinery, pedestrians and cyclists.
“The replacement of the Kildare Bridge was a key part of Build PEI in 2010,” said Minister MacKinley. “In total we invested $57.6 million in new bridges, re-built and expanded highways, and paving during the 2010 construction season. It was one of the biggest single-year capital investments in the province’s history.”
The bridge is expected to open to traffic around noon today. The bridge will close for approximately one week in the summer of 2011 to allow for the installation of the asphalt seal.