Cornwall 'fender bender,' construction make morning commute even longer
Some Cornwall commuters say drive into Charlottetown took longer than an hour
The morning commute from Cornwall to Charlottetown was longer than usual Friday morning, according to people expressed their frustration on social media.
The province has warned motorists that delays should be expected during the construction of two roundabouts on the Trans-Canada between Cornwall and Charlottetown.
The delays were exacerbated Friday by a "minor fender bender" on the highway near Cornwall Town Hall, according Queens District RCMP.
The highway was down to one lane from about 9:10 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. as police cleared the scene. There were no injuries, RCMP said.
Sarah Fisher wrote on Twitter it took her an extra hour and a half to get in the to the city, with a hashtag #late4work.
Horrible traffic tween Cornwall <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PEI?src=hash">#PEI</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Charlottetown?src=hash">#Charlottetown</a>. Better options for traffic needed! 1.5pm extra hrs to commute/day! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/late4work?src=hash">#late4work</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCPEI">@CBCPEI</a>
—@SarelizaFisherSomeone from Fresh Media tweeted the normal 15 minutes commute took 52 minutes. "Insert ugh here …" the tweet said.
<a href="https://twitter.com/kerrywcampbell">@kerrywcampbell</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CornwallPE">@CornwallPE</a> Actually timed it. Our normal 15 minute drive took 52 minutes this morning. Insert "ugh" here...
—@freshmediapei<a href="https://twitter.com/kerrywcampbell">@kerrywcampbell</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCPEI">@CBCPEI</a> daughter left home at 8:25 and reached UPEI shortly after 10am.
—@SpudstakJon Matthew wrote on Facebook it took his wife an hour to get to work, when usually it's a "20-minute drive, door to door."
Delays 'exceptional'
Mark Sherron, the western regional engineer with Department of Transportation called Friday's traffic "exceptional."
He said workers were milling asphalt on Friday, and there was an issue with trucks coming in and out of the site. He said in the future, the department would look to restrict certain activity to off-peak hours.
He said traffic lights were also adjusted on Friday afternoon to help ease congestion.
"Not always every day is going to be the same. We will try to manage to the best we can."
He said drivers can expect delays for the next eight to nine weeks.
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