Drivers travelling to West Prince will soon experience a more visually appealing journey. This will come as a result of the provincial government's continuing efforts to enhance the natural environment around Island roads.
The Department of Transportation and Public Works, in partnership with the Evangeline Tourism Association, recently launched a second Highway Naturalization Pilot Project along the Western Road through the Miscouche area. This follows on the heels of the successful Highway Naturalization Pilot Project along the Charlottetown Arterial Highway.
"Enhancing our roadways can take many forms. In some areas it may mean naturalizing, while in other areas like the Western Road it can involve things like selective tree removal. This measure will help address safety concerns as well as enrich the aesthetic experience for travellers by returning the roadside to a more natural state. Different areas will require different solutions which underscores the importance of developing effective community partnerships to help find those solutions," said Transportation and Public Works Minister Don MacKinnon.
The Western Highway Naturalization Pilot Project will see a technique known as selective tree removal employed which will address undesirable tree species while focusing attention on existing native tree species along the roadside. This will enable the travelling public to observe and appreciate the roadside in an enhanced setting. Another benefit will be increased safety through improved visibility. Staff from the Department of Transportation and Public Works will conduct this selective tree removal over a 2 kilometre section of the Western Road between Wellington and Miscouche. The Western Highway Naturalization Pilot Project is anticipated to take approximately six weeks.
"The Western Road is the gateway to the west. By working with the Province on projects like this, we can make the travelling experience more attractive for tourism traffic to help discover the hidden treasures of the Evangeline region and the greater West Prince community," said Evangeline Tourism Association President Caroline Arsenault.
Future Highway Naturalization Projects will be determined by the level of community interest and the availability of resources. Interested communities and groups can learn more about sponsoring a Highway Naturalization Project in their area by contacting their local community development officer or the Community Development Bureau at 368-6360.