Construction resumes on Cornwall highway bypass

Phase 2 of theCornwall bypass connecting North River and New Haven has resumed construction now that spring has arrived on P.E.I.

The project, originally estimated at $65 million, is now expected to cost about$58 millionand is on scheduleto open in October 2019.

"We're putting up the structures to support the overhead sign," said StephenYeo, chief engineer with P.E.I.'s Department of Transportation. "Next Wednesday, you should see the overhead structures themselves go up on the York Point Road and the Warren Grove Road."

Traffic will experience delays of five to 10minutes in thecoming days and weeks whilecranes manoeuvre the overhead structures into place, Yeo said.

The upright supportsare being installed near the new highway alignmentin places such as Highway 1, Linwood Road, Cornwall Road, Warren Grove Road and York Point Road.

There will be morespecific announcements around when the delays are expected for individual locations, Yeo said.

'Really take shape'

The signs are the first part of the construction, but a majority of thisphase will be moving earth,includingaround areas that will have overpasses.

"We'll be completing most of the earth work this year so by the fall you'll see the alignment really take shape ending up in New Haven,"Yeosaid.

Constructionon Linwood Roadof a12-metre-high steel archis expected to takea few weeks. It will allowtraffic to pass underthe new alignment.

"It's on a seasonal road. The road's not open now, so it will continue to be closed for the next month while we install that,"Yeosaid.

Crews will then begin work in June on the Cornwall Road structure, which will include two roundabouts.

"People living on the Cornwall Road will see a lot of work done this year but they'll transition through it," said Yeo, adding that the road will remain open throughout the process, and drivers should expect delays.

New bridge tostart in June

Building a 120-metre-long bridge over the Clyde River will be a major part of the project that will also start in June and end next summer.

Construction will begin with pillars in the water, followed by work on the abutments on the riverbanks. The bridge itself will be put in place next summer.

"There will be a lot of environmental controls and work the contractor will have to follow, but I don't anticipate there will be any problems with it," Yeo said.

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