Roadwork near Charlottetown Event Grounds will pause during shellfish festival

People attending the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival this weekend won't have to worry about construction dust getting into their chowder and lobster rolls.

City of Charlottetown officials said construction around the event grounds will pause during the festival. Crews will remove all of their equipment by 4 p.m. Thursday and open up two lanes of traffic on Grafton Street.

The city said the decision was made to ensure the safety of visitors and that the event goes off without any issues.

The work has caused traffic delays for much of the summer.

Roadwork at the end of the Hillsborough Bridge, a separate project being done by the province, will also pause for the duration of the festival.

Liam Dolan, the festival's founder, said it's important the event not happen in the middle of a construction zone with dust flying and traffic backed up.

"I know it's frustrating for a lot of people all through the summer what has happened down there. But we did get through it," Dolan said. "We got her open and she's up and running and we'll be having a great feast and frolic."

Motorists are still urged to drive with care, as Grafton Street has not been paved and doesn't have a concrete curb.

Complimentary shuttle transportation will be provided from the official event hotels and downtown Charlottetown to the festival grounds. The shuttle is open to the public and not limited to those staying at hotels. Parking is available near the event grounds for a fee.

The work stoppage is not expected to affect the timeline or cost of the project. 

Grafton Street will go back to one lane of traffic on Monday morning. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of September.