“Engineers from my department have instructed the contractor on site to construct temporary, paved diversion roads so traffic can pass through the site on relatively smooth roadway,” says (Prince Edward Island) Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey.
“Those diversion roads were always part of the plan, but after meeting with officials from the Prince Edward Island Street Rod Association and the local MLA Allen Roach, and after concerns were raised by residents, the department decided to add a thin layer of asphalt to those temporary roads to improve conditions for the travelling public,” Vessey said Tuesday.
He said at the end of the project the asphalt will be recycled for use elsewhere.
The Street Rod Association’s annual Show ‘n Shine is scheduled July 6-8 at the old Brudenell Park.
The construction of the roundabout began last week. The $1.7 million project will be completed in six to eight weeks depending on weather.
P.E.I. Street Rod Association president Sabina MacLeod welcomed news of the traffic measures.
“We applaud the department’s engineering team for its efforts to address the concerns we had with the construction site and how it could negatively impact the event,” said MacLeod.
“The vehicles coming to the Show ‘n Shine are not driven through adverse conditions and owners are now assured they will have a smooth and clean surface to drive on at the site.”
Local MLA Roach pointed to good communication between the parties as helping see a compromise reached.
“Department officials were quick to respond to the concerns of event organizers, and those organizers were more than happy with the suggestions made by the engineers. In the end everyone left the meeting satisfied.”
The Guardian
