TCH reroute could begin as early as September

Tenders for the Trans-Canada realignment project have gone out and the government says work on the project could begin as early as September.

The provincial government wants two separate bids on the Bonshaw and the New Haven sections of the highway realignment.

The province has said the project will come in at approximately $16 million.

The P.E.I. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association had hoped there would be more than one tender because, they say, smaller projects aren't as attractive to off-Island companies.

The province estimates the work will create roughly 160 jobs.

The tender deadline is August 23.

Opposition questions government statistics on road

Thursday, during a provincial standing committee meeting, the opposition questioned government accident statistics.

The opposition asked how many collisions along the stretch of highway in question were the result of drunk driving.

Opposition leader Olive Crane asked if the work could be postponed for a year to see if enforcement would be enough to improve the record along this stretch of road.

The Department of Transportation said gathering that informationwould take two or three months.