Opposition parties weigh in on Cornwall bypass project

P.E.I.'s provincial opposition parties are weighing in and raising concerns about the proposed $65 million Cornwall bypass project announced this week.

Jamie Fox, interim leader of the Official Opposition Progressive Conservative Party, questioned the amount being spent on the project, saying there is only $75 million set aside for "all national and collector roads" in P.E.I. over the next five years. He is concerned there might not be enough allocated in federal moneyto cover infrastructure projects.

'Spending $65 million is a big undertaking'

"Over the last few months we went through a capital budget, a throne speech and a regular budget but this project never came up once," said Fox in a press release.

"Spending $65 million is a big undertaking. We know that communities across the Island have major infrastructure needs. The reason we've been calling for an infrastructure summit was to make sure that limited dollars go to projects that have the best bang for the buck."

Green Party leader Peter Bevan-Baker questioned whether the project was "the best use of our scarce public funds." He explained in a press release, the $65 million could also be used to improve schools, enhance access to medical services and expanding renewable energy capacity.

Other infrastructure projects

Other concerns raised by the Green Party leader include homes built in the new highway's path and other infrastructure projects being overlooked.

"Unless the budget is increased, other roads will see reduced maintenance and roads in rural P.E.I. will most likely be the ones to suffer," he explained.

Bevan-Baker added that he wants a full debate in the legislature on long-term costs, provincial debt, environmental considerations, safety concerns and potential conflict of interests.

The proposed bypass project would redirect the Trans-Canada Highway around the town of Cornwall, west of Charlottetown. The province says the project will improve safety of travellers on the Trans-Canada Highway. It hopes to break ground this year, and has requested funding from the federal government.

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