confederation bridge undergoing major construction ahead of p.e.i. tourism season
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the confederation bridge will be resurfaced until the end of june, its first major work since being constructed in 1997.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
motorists hoping to cross the confederation bridge can expect delays of 30 to 60 minutes until the end of june.
over the next few months, the bridge will be resurfaced, beginning on the new brunswick side.
the bridge will remain open during construction. to reduce delays, the project will be done in phases, one 3.5-kilometre section of the bridge at a time, with the stretch under construction reduced to alternating one-lane traffic.
lights and bridge control staff will be on site 24-7, and construction will be in the works seven days a week during daylight hours. speed limits in the construction zone will be reduced to 60 kilometres per hour.
the project is being funded by straight crossing bridge ltd., the group responsible for operating and maintaining the bridge.
motorists travelling across the confederation bridge until the end of june are told to anticipate delays of 30 to 60 minutes, due to a resurfacing project.
kristin gardiner
/
journal pioneer
while the bridge has undergone regular maintenance in the past, there has been nothing of this scale until now.
“the operation represents the most significant modernization works carried out on the bridge since it opened to traffic in 1997,” read an april 14 press release from strait crossing bridge ltd.
“the entire deck surface will be renewed using a high-performance asphalt specifically designed to withstand the bridge’s demanding maritime conditions, including high humidity, temperature variations and exposure to de-icing salts.”
the work will protect the bridge surface and reduce the need for more major repairs in the future.
strait crossing bridge ltd. advised drivers to expect delays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and suggested travelling outside those hours if possible.
as well, shuttle services will be modified, and wide-load crossings have been reduced to twice a week, early in the day.
those who plan to travel across the bridge during construction can stay updated through the confederation bridge app and website, or by signing up to receive traffic advisories via email.
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kristin gardiner is a reporter for the journal pioneer in prince edward island. she can be reached at kgardiner@postmedia.com.
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