Latest news with #BordenCarleton
CBC
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CBC
P.E.I. drivers warned to be careful as work begins to replace Albany Y overpass
Social Sharing 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."
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
P.E.I. premier asks federal government for timeline on bridge & ferry toll reductions
Traffic travels on the Confederation Bridge across the Abegweit Passage of the Northumberland Strait in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., Friday, May 3, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese FREDERICTON — The premier of Prince Edward Island is asking Ottawa for an update on the federal plan to reduce tolls on the Confederation Bridge and fares charged by Northumberland Ferries. In a recent letter to federal Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland, Premier Rob Lantz says the fees are trade barriers that boost the cost of living and reduce the competitiveness of Island businesses. He says they also hinder off-Island access to essential services like health care and education. Lantz says his government has done its part to remove interprovincial trade barriers by passing the Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act. During the recent federal election campaign, the Liberals led by Mark Carney promised to lower the bridge tolls by more than half, and to reduce the cost of certain ferry routes by at least half. A statement from Freeland's office did not say when the federal government would reduce the tolls and fares. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Proposed 4th gas station for Borden-Carleton will now await IRAC decision
Social Sharing The future of a controversial development near the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., is now in the hands of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. Three days of hearings wrapped up Thursday in Charlottetown. Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy Group of Companies, wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in the town. The company needs IRAC's approval for a license to sell gas. It doesn't need approval to build the development itself. Chad Ceretti, owner of Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware, said he's relieved the hearings are over. He's fighting the planned development, which would be built next door to his business. "It's been a long couple of days, there's a weight that's been lifted, you know all the build up to it. It's been lifted, for now, until a decision is made," Ceretti told CBC News after the hearings wrapped up. "We have a tremendous amount of support, nobody wants to see the little guy go by the wayside. It's part of P.E.I.'s charm and they're with us. They tell us they're behind us." In a statement to CBC News, D.P. Murphy says the company maintains its "excitement regarding the proposed development in Borden-Carleton and is hopeful that the commission grants [it] the ability to serve the evolving needs of the community, Island and our valued tourists." WATCH | Fate of proposed Borden-Carleton gas station now in IRAC's hands as hearings wrap up: Fate of proposed Borden-Carleton gas station now in IRAC's hands as hearings wrap up 4 hours ago Duration 1:25 The future of D.P. Murphy's controversial development near the Confederation Bridge is now up to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission after three days of hearings wrapped up this week. The 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and retail space would be built next to a store owned by Chad Ceretti, who's fighting the plans. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. During the hearing, the three IRAC commissioners – Kerri Carpenter, Terry McKenna and Gordon MacFarlane – heard about the potential impact the development would have on Ceretti's. A report prepared for Ceretti's said the D.P. Murphy project would cost the family-owned business thousands of dollars, resulting in its "imminent closure." Chad Howatt of Howatt's Shell was an intervener in the case, but did not make a formal presentation during the hearing. Officials with D.P. Murphy argued its development would be providing a new service to the town, which is the gateway to the province. The company said its development would have lots of parking for cars, big trucks and RVs; bright, modern bathrooms; EV charging stations; and a place where motorists can stop 24 hours a day. 'The quicker the better' The Petroleum Products Act, which will guide IRAC in its decision, states that when issuing a gas station license, the commission should consider "demand for the proposed service, the location of the outlet, traffic flows and the applicant's record of performance." If either side is not happy with IRAC's ruling, they could appeal it to the P.E.I. Supreme Court. WATCH | Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town: Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town 1 day ago Duration 2:26 Hearings continued for a second day on a controversial development near P.E.I.'s Confederation Bridge where D.P. Murphy wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station and Tim Hortons. Wednesday, IRAC commissioners heard what impact that development may have on another gas station in the community. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau has more. Ceretti said he doesn't know whether he would appeal the decision if it doesn't go his way, adding, "I'm not there yet." IRAC's decision could still be weeks away. "It's not going to be an overnight decision," Ceretti said. "Of course we would prefer that, but that's not the case. You know, the quicker the better."
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Uncertainty around 4th gas station in Borden-Carleton 'excruciating,' says business owner
Hearings continued for a second day on a controversial development near the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton. D.P. Murphy wants to build a "Welcome Plaza" with a 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store, and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces. Commissioners with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission heard Wednesday about the impacts that project may have on Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware, the gas station and retail store located next door to the proposed development. Chad Ceretti, owner of Ceretti's, told commissioners he put any plans to renovate or expand on hold after hearing about the D.P. Murphy plan. Asked how that potential competition made him feel, Ceretti said "terrified would be the first word that comes to mind." He later added, "The uncertainty over the last number of years has been excruciating." WATCH | Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town: Owner of Borden-Carleton store 'terrified' over prospect of 4th gas station in the town 5 hours ago Duration 2:26 Hearings continued for a second day on a controversial development near P.E.I.'s Confederation Bridge where D.P. Murphy wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station and Tim Hortons. Wednesday, IRAC commissioners heard what impact that development may have on another gas station in the community. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau has more. During the IRAC hearing, lawyers for D.P. Murphy tried to paint a picture of Ceretti's as a business that is already struggling. Ceretti was asked if he felt his store was profitable. "Yes, I believe so," he said. But financial records provided to the commission show Ceretti's gas sales have been on a steep decline, with the business actually reporting small losses in 2022 and 2023. Ceretti said Irving's decision to end its contract with his station has had a big impact on his business. Corporate clients with Irving cards can no longer fuel up at his station. He now sells gas under the Mobil banner. D.P. Murphy's lawyers also pointed out that Ceretti's has not been renovated for some time, is not wheelchair accessible, has no EV charging stations, and only has a single washroom that hasn't been updated in some time. Ceretti didn't argue, saying that's "part of its charm." Report shows 'significant losses' Commissioners also heard details from an MRSB report prepared for Ceretti's that looked at the potential impact of a fourth gas station in the western Prince Edward Island gateway community. It showed "significant business losses" for Ceretti's, with a drop in business of about 25 per cent or more in 2026, when the new station would open. WATCH | A recap of day 1 of the IRAC hearings: Island regulator hears arguments for and against a 4th Borden-Carleton gas station 1 day ago Duration 2:09 The fate of a new gas station complex for Borden-Carleton hangs in the balance as the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission conducts a hearing on whether the area needs a fourth service station. Danny Murphy of D.P. Murphy (left) was at the IRAC hearing to talk about what his proposed 'Welcome Plaza' could do for the town at the P.E.I. end of the Confederation Bridge. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. It said those losses would shrink in 2027, and the business would make money in 2028. Still, the report says the losses would "most likely" result "in the imminent closure of the business." Ceretti told the commissioners that he can't predict the future, but said if his business declines too much he would be forced to close his doors. The hearing wraps up on Wednesday.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
IRAC hears about potential gains and losses from new 24/7 gas station in Borden-Carleton
So many people packed into the hearing room at the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission's office in Charlottetown on Tuesday that officials had to turn some away. They were there to show support for two Borden-Carleton gas station owners, Chad Ceretti from Ceretti's Grocery and Hardware and Chad Howatt of Howatt's Shell. They're fighting D.P. Murphy's plans to build a gas station near the Confederation Bridge in the western Prince Edward Island gateway community that already hosts three gas stations. IRAC is the body that would grant the gas station licence. Murphy's proposal includes a 24-hour Irving gas station, a Tim Hortons restaurant, and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in addition to hundreds of parking spaces for cars and big trucks and some EV charging stations. Tuesday's discussions were dominated by what could be gained — or lost — if this proposal goes ahead. Island regulator hears arguments for and against a 4th Borden-Carleton gas station 2 hours ago Duration 2:09 The fate of a new gas station complex for Borden-Carleton hangs in the balance as the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission conducts a hearing on whether the area needs a fourth service station. Danny Murphy of D.P. Murphy (left) was at the IRAC hearing to talk about what his proposed 'Welcome Plaza' could do for the town at the P.E.I. end of the Confederation Bridge. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy, talked about the current state of Borden-Carleton, describing rusted steel fencing, uncut grass and the still-hanging signs of businesses long shuttered "I'd give it a six out of 10," the businessman told commissioners Kerri Carpenter, Terry McKenna and Gordon MacFarlane. Murphy says he wants to be part of a development that transforms Borden-Carleton, drawing connections to Disney and asking why there isn't a giant Anne of Green Gables statue welcoming people as they get off the bridge from New Brunswick. His vision includes a "Welcome Plaza" with what he described as a "truly iconic" Canadian brand, Tim Hortons, anchoring the development and operating 24/7. He said it would be a place for people to go at all hours, and for truckers to park and find a place to eat and grab a coffee at times when the nearby Confederation Bridge is closed to big trucks because of bad weather. But there's been pushback in the community. More than 400 people have emailed IRAC to say they don't want another gas station in their town. Many of those email writers were at the hearing Tuesday. The lawyer for Ceretti's, Ryan MacDonald, said another gas station in the town would have "detrimental" effects that include the closure of Ceretti's. MacDonald pointed out that the new development does not include full grocery options, hardware, or a meat counter, like Ceretti's does. The lawyer said those services will be lost to townspeople if the new gas station puts Ceretti's out of business. MacDonald also argued that Murphy could proceed with his development without selling gas. In his remarks to the commissioners, Murphy said he doesn't believe his development will put anybody out of business. He said he believes there will be more business overall in Borden-Carleton with this new development, saying that right now, a lot of people drive through the community without stopping. Murphy said Prime Minister Mark Carney's campaign promise to lower the Confederation Bridge toll to $20 will only increase traffic going through Borden-Carleton. "They also have longtime loyal customers who will continue to support their local gas stations," Murphy said of his future competitors. His proposal had its own supporters, represented in the form of letters from Robert Irving of Cavendish Farms, Andrew Keith from SFX Transport, and Corryn Clemence from the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island. 'It's a David and Goliath type deal, and we're fighting for our lives,' gas station owner says 7 days ago Duration 2:33 More than 100 people packed into the Legion in Borden-Carleton last night to discuss an application for a new gas station just off the Confederation Bridge. Chad Ceretti's gas station is right next to where the new one would be. CBC's Wayne Thibodeau reports. The commission also heard from an expert witness from the accounting firm Deloitte Canada. Deloitte's Chris Robertson took a look at current and projected gas sales, traffic and population growth trends and determined that the town can support another gas station. D.P. Murphy paid for that report, and Ceretti's lawyers challenged some of the numbers. The hearing continues Wednesday.
