P.E.I. drivers warned to be careful as work begins to replace Albany Y overpass

CBC

04-06-2025

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Work is underway to upgrade an overpass at one of the main highway interchanges on the way into and out of Prince Edward Island, so drivers will see a temporary redesign over the next several months.
The so-called Albany Y intersection is where the Trans-Canada Highway intersects with Route 1A.
Drivers coming off the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton have the option to either take the overpass that leads them east toward Charlottetown, or veer right onto a ramp that takes them out under the highway and onto the 1A west toward Summerside.
The overpass was built in the 1960s and needs to be replaced. At the same time that's happening, P.E.I.'s Transportation Department will shift it slightly further west, toward Middleton, to smooth out the tight curve that drivers headed east currently have to navigate.
WATCH | Temporary roundabout coming to key intersection near Borden-Carleton for at least 6 months:
Temporary roundabout coming to key intersection near Borden-Carleton for at least 6 months
2 hours ago
Duration 1:35
Work has begun to replace the overpass at the intersection near Borden-Carleton known as the Albany Y. The P.E.I. government says traffic will be diverted in the meantime to a temporary roundabout. CBC's Nicola MacLeod explains.
"We're going to change that to meet current highway design criteria," said Neil Lawless, the province's bridge engineer.
"It's more the bend on the Borden-Carleton side of the site, which is… too tight of a curve, we'll say."
Starting this week, all traffic going through the Albany area will be directed through a temporary roundabout with marked exits for each destination.
The usual off-ramps that were always one-way exits will now see traffic flowing in both directions.
Lawless said the temporary roundabout route will be in place until about the end of November, when the new overpass is expected to be open.
Until then, the province wants drivers to pay attention and slow down at the construction site, though Lawless said the detours will be well-marked, with signage and lower speed limits.
Lawless said the province's plan should be able to handle high volumes of traffic in the area, even during the popular Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Sommo Fest.
"With all the diversions that we're going to do… with the temporary roundabout, the department's confident that converting both ramps to two-way traffic will certainly accommodate the traffic," he said.
"During the Cavendish concerts, first in July and then in September, the department will be cognizant of the volume of traffic coming off the Confederation Bridge and then going back on after the concerts, so we'll work with our contractor to minimize the disruption."