Island drivers will soon benefit from improved highway safety and improved infrastructure as the province begins the replacement of the Wellington and New Glasgow Mills bridges.
“Infrastructure investments are an important driver of economic growth and job creation in Canada,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island. “Our Government is proud to invest in the reconstruction of the Wellington Bridge, and we will continue to support key infrastructure projects to improve quality of life in Prince Edward Island.”
“This year the province has set aside $38.5 million for bridge and highway construction from one end of the Island to the other,” said the Honourable Robert Vessey, Provincial Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. “These two bridge replacement projects will improve safety for residents and visitors, and will improve the overall condition of our highway infrastructure.”
The Wellington Bridge, on Route 124 in Wellington, was built in 1956, and the New Glasgow Mills Bridge, on Route 13 in Mayfield, in 1968. Both bridges are reaching the end of their service life. The new Wellington Bridge will include a longer concrete span, as opposed to the steel structure currently in place. The estimated cost of this bridge replacement project is $600,000, to be funded entirely through Canada’s Gas Tax Fund. The New Glasgow Mills Bridge will be replaced with a longer and wider one, with a new pre-cast concrete structure. The cost of this bridge replacement is approximately $450,000 and is fully funded through the province’s capital budget.
Canada’s Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. In December 2011, legislation was
passed to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment of $2 billion per year. The Government of Canada, through the Gas Tax Fund alone, provides $15 million in funding annually for municipal infrastructure in Prince Edward Island.
Clearly marked detours will be in place for both of these projects. Detour maps can be viewed by clicking the road construction link at www.gov.pe.ca/tir
For further information on infrastructure investments in Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca and www.gov.pe.ca.