Latest news with #TransportationMinister
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
N.B. government says adding sidewalk to resurfaced Miramichi bridge would 'throw it out of balance'
The New Brunswick government says adding a sidewalk to resurfacing plans on Miramichi's Centennial Bridge would throw the entire span 'out of balance.' 'It's not that I don't want a sidewalk,' said Transportation Minister Chuck Chiasson, to reporters on Wednesday. 'A sidewalk has to be a separate project, because the safety standards of today kind of dictate what we need to do to rehab that bridge.' On Sunday, about 100 demonstrators gathered on the Centennial Bridge to protest refurbishment plans that don't include a sidewalk. 'The actual sidewalk cannot be attached to the bridge because it will throw it out of balance. It has to be supported from the piers,' said Chiasson. 'We have to have a certain lane width. We have to have certain widths of a breakdown lane and then we have to have obviously the barriers that keep people from driving off the side of the bridge.' Chiasson said the provincial government was speaking with the municipality about the possibility of adding bus passes and water taxis, to address accessibility issues for pedestrians once the refurbishment is complete. In April, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said the sidewalk was removed from bridge refurbishment plans due to financial restraints. On Friday, MLA Michelle Conroy said removing sidewalks from the bridge's refurbishment plan would negatively impact the community. 'The people of Miramichi deserve the independence to safely walk across that bridge,' said Conroy. An estimated 13,000 vehicles cross the Centennial Bridge daily. A full shutdown of the 58-year-old bridge, initially scheduled for this summer, has been delayed to 2026. Bridge Protest Demonstrators are pictured on the Centennial Bridge in Miramichi, N.B., on June 1, 2025. (Nick Moore/CTV Atlantic) For more New Brunswick 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.
