Traffic delays expected during roundabout construction for Cornwall bypass

Drivers coming and going from Charlottetown through Cornwall can expect delays in their morning and after-work commute for weeks to come.

Construction on two roundabouts, which began Tuesday, are the first step in the Cornwall bypass.

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One is located at Maypoint intersection, and the otheris by Cows Creamery on Poplar Island.

"We won't be affecting traffic on the main road until sometime next week, but what we will be doing is starting to build the temporary roads around Maypoint intersection," said Stephen Yeo, the chief engineer for the Department of Transportation.

We're putting four lanes of traffic into two lanes of traffic so we will see some slow moving traffic at peak hours.- Stephen Yeo

"So as you drive by you'll see dozers and heavy equipment in the field stripping off land and we're building sandstone roads and we'll put crushed asphalt on those roads before we open them."

Yeo said traffic will be rerouted behind the Maypoint RCMP barracks for traffic going one direction, and close to the existing road for traffic going the other direction.

By Cows, Yeo said the traffic will keep moving continuously.

Traffic will keep going in the centre lanes as crews work on the outer lanes of the roundabout, and then once that is complete,it will switch and cars will be driving on the outer lanes.

Yeo said traffic will be slower than usual because there will only be one lane of traffic in each direction during construction.

"We're putting four lanes of traffic into two lanes of traffic so we will see some slow moving traffic at peak hours in the morning and after work is over, as well. So people should expect delays and if they choose to find alternate routes, that's up to themselves."

Yeo said there will be full movement of traffic around the roundabouts in late October or early November.

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