P.E.I. cyclist argues for underpass on busy Charlottetown highway
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Freezing rain and snow pelt Marielle Levine within the face as they wait to cross the Maypoint roundabout in Charlottetown on April 4.
Nevertheless, the avid bike owner, who bikes year-round, informed SaltWire Community the climate on this present day is not what bothers them essentially the most.
It’s the hazard.
They are saying there must be a neater and safer, technique to cross the 4 lanes of heavy visitors that join the 2 lively transportation paths working alongside Maypoint Street and Upton Street.
“I’m used to biking in heavy visitors, and I discover this scary,” stated Levine, who lives close to Charlottetown Rural Excessive Faculty. “I can’t think about someone who’s simply making an attempt to get round by bike making an attempt to handle it.”
Levine needed to take a look at the 2 lively transportation paths as quickly as they heard about them. Nevertheless, the design was shocking.
“While you get to the roundabout, you find yourself having to get off your bike and stroll throughout 4 lanes of visitors, which I discover is fairly absurd,” Levine stated.
Charlottetown-West Royalty MLA Gord McNeilly is a part of a group group that’s making an attempt to get an underground passageway constructed for cyclists and pedestrians, one which connects the paths on Maypoint Street to Upton Street.
“The issue stays is that this is likely one of the busiest intersections in Prince Edward Island to cross for pedestrians (and) cyclists,” McNeilly stated. “I can’t think about what it’s wish to cross at eight or 10 within the morning when there’s a regular stream of visitors. It’s very harmful.”
Public conferences have taken place the place McNeilly’s group has proposed the underground cross.
Three weeks in the past, the Liberal MLA despatched letters to members of P.E.I.’s cupboard, Transportation Minister James Aylward and Local weather Change Minister Steven Myers, asking that the Charlottetown Space Improvement Company (CADC) be introduced in to conduct a feasibility examine.
McNeilly stated he’s had some discussions with the 2 ministers on the matter. He additionally factors out there may be federal and provincial funding that could possibly be accessed, though no price estimate has been finished.
“Hear, if we are able to construct a loopy intersection in East Royalty that no one had ever seen earlier than,” McNeilly stated, referring to the displaced left-turning lane intersection, “we are able to absolutely do an underpass on the busiest freeway in Prince Edward Island.”
– Gord McNeilly
Levine stated including to the confusion is that after cyclists cross the Maypoint roundabout from Maypoint Street, they must proceed a couple of hundred meters down Upton Street and cross three lanes of visitors – at a marked crosswalk – to get onto the lively transportation path that runs alongside Upton Street.
Levine stated they really need the 2 pathways to attach.
Levine typically bikes to their in-laws within the neighbourhood of Winsloe.
Levine stated they like to make use of Seaside Grove Street, connecting onto the lively transportation path quite than biking alongside North River Street and Decrease Malpeque Street.
“Many instances I’ve biked up North River Street, which is missing in a bikeable shoulder,” Levine stated. “The lighting can also be horrible. It’s a must to costume up like a Christmas tree for automobiles to see you.”
The plan
Following is how the proposed lively transportation path was to attach downtown Charlottetown with the neighbourhood of West Royalty:
- A path system circles round Seaside Grove Street and connects with the lively transportation path on Maypoint Street.
- The lively transportation path stretches alongside Maypoint Street to the roundabout the place cyclists and pedestrians must cross 4 lanes of visitors at a delegated crosswalk.
- The lively transportation path resumes on Upton Street however on the other facet of the street from the place folks come off the crosswalk on the roundabout.
- A group group is proposing a freeway underpass between Maypoint Street and Upton Street.
- The lively transportation path is proposed to proceed north to the Confederation Path in Miltonvale Park.
Levine stated the constructing of huge lively transportation paths is the proper answer for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The truth that you might be separated from visitors is absolutely wonderful,” they stated. “It’s huge sufficient for someone who’s making an attempt to get to work to cross someone who’s a bit of unsteady on their bike with out inflicting an accident, so I would love to see extra paths like this in Charlottetown and I’d like to see them linked.’’
McNeilly stated the perfect objective is to construct an underpass as near the Maypoint roundabout as doable.
Nevertheless, the MLA stated he has spoken with Stephen Yeo, the province’s chief engineer, concerning the proposal, and there are components at play, similar to price and whether or not building would end in any street closures that may have an effect on visitors.
McNeilly stated it could actually and needs to be finished.
“Hear, if we are able to construct a loopy intersection in East Royalty that no one had ever seen earlier than,” McNeilly stated, referring to the displaced left-turning lane intersection, “we are able to absolutely do an underpass on the busiest freeway in Prince Edward Island.”
Dave Stewart is a municipal reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island.
