Making Island roads safer

New federal and provincial funding will fund four infrastructure projects across P.E.I.

Stratford’s mayor is pleased that after years of discussions one of the town’s increasingly busy intersections will soon become safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

David Dunphy said the roundabout for the intersection of Mason Road and the Trans-Canada Highway, which was one of four projects announced on Friday, will address an area in the town that needs to be updated.

“Traffic has been increasing, so the old road system has to be modernized with more efficient access on and off the highways,” he told The Guardian following the announcement at the Stratford Town Hall.

“It’s critical for safety.” The joint federal-provincial funding announcement for four projects across the province was made by Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, and Paula Biggar, minister of transportation, infrastructure and energy, announced joint federal-provincial support for four projects across the province.

The federal government will contribute just over $3.6 million of the $7.9 million towards the projects through the New Building Canada Fund, and the province will foot the rest of the bill.

MacAulay said Ottawa has been working with all levels of government to deliver on “ambitious infrastructure commitments”.

Investing in infrastructure will create economic growth, provide middle-class Canadians with opportunities and allow for seniors, youth and other vulnerable populations to be able to access the opportunities available to them, he said. “The right investments in infrastructure allows our communities to thrive and ensure a prosperous future for the entire province and the country,” he said.

“Being the minister of agriculture and a farmer here, I know the importance of good roadways for farmers so that they can get their product to market.”

Biggar echoed MacAulay’s sentiments on safe roads and their role in facilitating trade. The highways link the Island’s traditional industries to the marketplace and allow for farmers and fishers to get their goods to consumers, she said. “They allow our tourism industry to flourish, they allow Islanders to get to work and, not to mention, creating jobs in the construction industry.”

With changes to funding criteria for roads and bridges, the Island has an additional 650 km of “strategic Island roads” now being eligible for funding. Biggar said these were “critical routes for commerce, tourism and for keeping our Island communities connected”.