The road construction season on Prince Edward Island officially got underway this week as workers began the Ross’ Corner Bridge replacement on Route 1A, says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Ron MacKinley.
“The $4.9 million replacement of the Ross’ Corner Bridge is one of the key Build PEI projects planned for this construction season,” said Minister MacKinley. “In total the province will invest approximately $37 million in the province’s roads and bridges in 2011. We expect the improvements we make will have an immediate and lasting positive impact on the overall safety and efficiency of the province’s road network.”
The Ross’ Corner Bridge was originally built in 1963 and is reaching the end of its service life. The new bridge will be built about seven metres longer and about three metres wider which will allow more room for farm equipment, cyclists and pedestrians. The project is expected to be complete late this year.
Since May 2007, the department has overseen a $202 million investment in the province’s road and bridge network. This has resulted in major repairs or replacements on 34 bridges at a cost of $45.2 million and the repaving or rebuilding of over 700 kilometres of provincial roadway at a cost of $156.8 million.
“We look forward to another safe and productive construction season on Prince Edward Island,” said Minister MacKinley. “It is important that road users be careful and reduce speeds in construction zones for their safety and the safety of construction crews.”
For more information on projects planned for the 2011 construction season visit www.buildpei.ca.