Borden-Carleton mayor concerned about truck parking during bridge closures

The mayor of Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., is raising concerns about the number of trucks parking on town streets when the Confederation Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles.

Dean Sexton saidmany truck drivers are not parking in the designated area, opting for residential streets instead.

"The trucks all pile up on Main Street there and different parts of the town," said Sexton.

"And it's quite a problem. There was almost an accident here last week. Apparently a car pulled out and another car almost hit it."

He saidsome residents are complaining about property damage and there are concerns about public safety.

"We have been telling theRCMPfor some time, you know, that it is quite a concern," he said.

"There is a parking lot made for the trucks but the truckers don't seem to want to use that parking lot. 'Cause I think they go on Main Street because they are closer to TimHortons."

Dan Gillis, a truck driver from Woodstock, N.B., who parks his rig in the designated area, said the provincial marshalling yard is not big enough to handle all the trucks that get sidelined in bad weather.

Sexton saidhe has requested a meeting with the Department of Transportation.Transportation officials confirm they have been invited to meet with the mayor and will be responding.

RCMP said they do daily patrols of the town. They note that if the bridge is closed and the town has concerns about where the trucks are parked, the town should call them.

"The problem needs to be addressed not just here but also on the Cape Tormentine side," said Borden-Carleton resident Gerard Sexton. "It's a problem where they're lined up along the highway."