$24M for P.E.I. National Park upgrades announced

The federal government announced $24 million to improve facilities and infrastructure at P.E.I. National Park on Wednesday.

Gail Shea, the minister responsible for Prince Edward Island, made the announcement at Covehead on P.E.I.'s North Shore.

The funding includes

$4.3 million for water and waste water systems.

$6 million for road resurfacing.

$3.1 million for building improvements.

$5.8 million for the Covehead bridge.

"This is part of the $5.8 billion that the prime minister announced last November, which is an investment in government owned-infrastructure across the country," said Shea.

"Our government will be creating and protecting jobs here."

In addition to repairs to the piers and abutments on the Covehead bridge, and new railings, the bridge will be widened three metres to allow for a cycle and pedestrian lane.

"It's exciting. It's a major investment in P.E.I. National Park," said Bill Courtney, who will lead the Covehead bridge rehabilitation project for Parks Canada.

The campground in Cavendish will receive an overhaul similar to what's happened in Stanhope, with new washrooms and new cooking shelters.

For projects not already started, much of the work will begin in the fall during the National Parks off season.

Some projects will take more than a year to complete.