‘Unpredictable situation’

P.E.I. government spends $4.5 million in unbudgeted money on bridge repairs, land purchases and road work

Bridge repairs, land purchases and road work led to cabinet authorizing $4.5 million in extra spending for the Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Department recently.

Cabinet approved a special warrant in March for that amount to cover costs that weren’t included in last year’s budget. A statement from the department said requesting a special warrant for a budget shortfall is not something government takes lightly and is done only in special cases.

“Unexpected and unpredictable situations do arise that require immediate response. The safety of the travelling public must always be our top priority.”

The special warrant included $1.43 million for bridges, which the department said was the result of an increase in small bridge repairs because of inspections identifying immediate action that was needed.

Work was needed on 12 bridges with repair costs ranging from $78,906 in Cascumpec

to $248,500 for strengthening the Hillsborough Bridge.

Another $1.06 million was needed for land purchases, including $505,000 to buy 6.5 acres next to the provincial maintenance depot near the Charlottetown Airport.

“This purchase will minimize any potential noise or traffic disruptions for the community,” a statement from the department said.

A further $156,800 went to buy 50 acres of land for the Cornwall bypass, which the province said was necessary because of access restrictions to the site of the new extension road.

“We will be able to utilize materials such as shale and fill from this parcel of land to use for the construction.”

The government spent an extra $1.5 million listed as provincial paving and $510,000 on national and collector highways.

In a statement, the department said P.E.I. saw higher than normal road break-up last spring due to a significant freeze-thaw cycle.

“This required additional road repair that was unscheduled.”