Latest news with #ErnieHudson
CBC
7 days ago
- General
- CBC
ATV riders 'ecstatic' about opening of 12 km of pilot trails in eastern P.E.I.
All-terrain vehicle riders on P.E.I. are now one step closer to having a provincewide trail network, thanks to four new pilot roads in the southeastern end of the Island. The Eastern Kings ATV Club recently earned provincial approval to use 12 kilometres of new trail in the Bellevue and Caledonia areas. They're the first pilot roads to be approved for the eastern portion of the province. "Every one of these is a win for me. It's a lot of hard work," Peter Mellish, executive director of the P.E.I. ATV Federation, said when he met a CBC News team at the site this week. "It's kind of cool because I brought my side-by-side today to go for a drive on it, legally, for the first time." The opening of the eastern pilot roads means riders now have access to about 77 kilometres of dedicated trails across the Island. There are hundreds of kilometres of ATV trails around the province, but piecing them all together into a tip-to-tip network can be tricky. The province requires that the pilot trails be on dirt roads, with low traffic volume and no potential environmental concerns. The federation also has to work with landowners in those areas to ensure riders can get on and off the roads without issues. "The primary factor that we do have to look at is safety," said Ernie Hudson, P.E.I.'s transportation minister. "I would have to say that it's resulted in a positive movement, a great relationship with the ATV federation in working with them towards… the ultimate goal of a tip-to-tip trail." At the end of the day, this is going to be our Confederation Trail. — Peter Mellish, P.E.I. ATV Federation An Island-wide system has been the goal for years. The federation had previously pushed to have riders be allowed to use the Confederation Trail, which also runs from one end of the Island to the other. But the idea received pushback during public consultations, with some concerns that the presence of ATVs would be too dangerous for the pedestrians and cyclists who currently use the trail. In order to use the pilot roads — which are shared with other cars, trucks and farm equipment — ATV drivers have to pay an annual $50 registration fee, while being subject to the same rules and regulations as any other road user. The federation will use a portion of the fees to help build and maintain its eventual provincewide network. Mellish said the next goal is to have more pilot trails open in the Souris area. Five other clubs have trail projects in mind after that. "At the end of the day, this is going to be our Confederation Trail, having these pilot roads," he said. "We're going to create our own experience and our own trail independently of the others. So yeah, we're ecstatic."
CBC
02-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
New warning signs being placed along P.E.I. coasts where erosion and flooding are risks
The government of P.E.I. is adding dozens of colourful signs to the coastline warning residents and visitors about areas that are prone to erosion or vulnerable to flooding. A total of 40 signs will be placed in 15 locations across the Island this summer, concentrating on areas where there is a lot of activity, such as beaches, walking trails, cliff sides and roadways. Pointing out that post-tropical storm Fiona caused a year's worth of erosion in a single night back in September 2022, P.E.I. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson said that just because a favourite walking spot used to be safe doesn't mean it is now. "Areas that, you know, five, 10, 15 years ago would have been considered safe to walk… [that] may not [be] and is not necessarily the case anymore," Hudson told CBC News. He said the new signs, developed in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, are a direct response to recommendations from the P.E.I. Interim Coastal Policy Report. Unlike the province's standard green and yellow signage, these new signs feature large, bold text reading "Caution: Stay Back." Hudson said the design is intended to grab attention quickly and help prevent accidents. The erosion warning signs are going up at: North Cape Cabot Park The Victoria causeway Northumberland Park Red Point Park Thunder Cove East Point Wood Islands Park Flood warning signs will be placed at the following locations: North Rustico Bay The North Rustico wharf Grand River Tryon Brackley Panmure Island The Souris causeway Each sign will give details on how much shoreline was lost in that area over a specific period. Hudson said department experts came up with the locations after identifying areas of high risk, particularly where the public could unknowingly get too close to unstable cliffs. More sites may be added in the future depending on how coastal conditions change. While erosion is a province-wide issue, the minister said the government has taken steps to help protect the coastline. Hudson pointed to recent shoreline reinforcement work along the Souris causeway, as well as a major project completed last year at Cedar Dunes Provincial Park in West Point — home to P.E.I.'s tallest lighthouse. That $3.4-million initiative involved building giant rock reefs to stop the red sand beach from washing away. "Look at West Point," he said. "Certainly that is the best example, I think, that anybody could see of the benefits of some of the protective measurements that we have taken."
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
New ‘highly visible' warning signs placed in coastal areas of P.E.I.
New signs are being placed across Prince Edward Island in locations experiencing significant erosion and prone to flooding. (Source: PEI Government) New bright and colourful signs are being placed across Prince Edward Island in locations experiencing significant erosion and prone to flooding. In total, 40 signs will be placed in 15 locations where there is a lot of activity, such as: beaches walking trails cliffsides roadways According to the province, the new signs are attention grabbing, in contrast to the traditional green and yellow signage used in the past. 'Protecting our scenic coastline and making sure our residents and visitors are safe is a huge priority for our government,' said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson in a news release from the province. The province says the islands coastline spans more than 3,000 kilometres in length and coastal hazards have intensified in recent years due to extreme weather events and climate change. 'Hurricane Fiona caused a year's worth of erosional damage in a single night. These new signs will help alert people of the potential dangers caused by erosion and flooding so they can enjoy our beautiful coastlines safely.' The installation of the new signs was a recommendation in the recently completed Prince Edward Island Interim Coastal Policy Report. The province says this is the first phase and more signs will be added in the coming years. Erosion warning signs are being placed in: North Cape Cabot Park Victoria Causeway Northumberland Park Red Point Park Thunder Cove East Point Wood Islands Park Flood warning signs are being placed in: North Rustico Bay North Rustico Wharf Grand River Tryon Brackley Panmure Island Souris Causeway For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
Prince Edward Island launching a traffic route planner for road construction season
Vehicles are pictured on a rural road in Prince Edward Island. Prince Edward Island is launching an online resource to help drivers plan their routes as the weather warms, traffic increases and the busy road construction season begins. 'Stay in the Loop, Plan Your Route' will keep motorists up to date on road and bridge construction by county, said a Wednesday news release. The resource includes access to free planning tools, instructional videos and useful information about road and safety projects. 'Offering clear, timely information supports Islanders, businesses and visitors, providing the certainty and predictability they need to plan effectively,' said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson. 'We want to minimize disruptions, increase smoother commutes, and support an effective and safe road system for everyone.' Information will also be available at Access PEI locations. Prince Edward Island's road construction season typically begins during the May long weekend and continues to early November. The province said weather and a porous sandstone road base restrict heavy equipment use during certain times of year. The province preplans construction to minimize disruptions, said the release. Residents and visitors can visit the Prince Edward Island website for information about upcoming construction projects and subscribe to receive travel advisories. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Islanders asked to help shape safer roads on P.E.I. for the next decade
Social Sharing The provincial government is looking to launch a new 10-year strategy on road safety, but it's asking Islanders to weigh in first. The province is developing a plan called Pathways to Highway Safety, aimed at reducing traffic collisions, improving infrastructure and making roads safer for Islanders. An online survey is now open to gather feedback on topics like road use, safety concerns and driving behaviours. Responses will help shape the strategy, which is expected to be released in 2026. All Islanders, including residents, commuters and other road users, are invited to take part in the survey, which is available in both English and French until July 4. Parts of the plan will focus on addressing dangerous drivers and making highways safer. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Ernie Hudson said the 10-year strategy could potentially lead to changes in provincial legislation and regulations. "Certainly an aspect that I would anticipate is changes in legislation and… subsequent to that, changes in the regulations associated with the legislative changes," Hudson told reporters Wednesday. "But are there other things that we can do with regard to just for example, highway markings, things along that line. And I know that there have been initiatives taken by the department such as the reflective strips that you see in different areas of the province, that are of a major help." He added the report will also look at what other jurisdictions are doing, not just legislatively but in other areas as well, such as highway markings. P.E.I. passed legislation four years ago to allow for the use of photo radar to deter speeders, but it's never been brought into effect. There is currently a push to implement automatic roadside suspensions for impaired drivers.
