Tryon highway project raising concerns for shellfishermen
P.E.I. officials say environmental protections will be in place to protect Tryon River
Construction is slated to begin this summer on phase two of the highway realignment project in Tryon.
P.E.I. government officials say environmental protection measures are being taken to prevent any negative impact on the shellfishery in the nearby Tryon River.
There are 50 to 70 shellfishermen who use the river and some have raised concerns about the project.
Government officials have met with them to discuss those worries.
Brian Thompson. a director with the Department of Transportation, said the government is taking the concerns seriously.
He said there will be environmental controls, project monitoring and the work site will be inspected on an ongoing basis by provincial and federal environmental officials.
"There is a large number of shellfishers that fish the Tryon River which is exactly where our project is located," said Thompson. "It was obvious that the primary concern of the fishers is erosion and sediment potential."
"You know we typically in a project like this, erosion and sediment controls would include things like slope protection and stabilization, sediment collection ponds or check dams. We use perimeter silt fencing and in the river itself we'll have in water controls like silt booms."
A public meeting is being held Thursday evening at the Tryon Baptist church in Albany.
Work on the $4 million project is expected to begin in early July and wrap up in late October.
Tenders will go out during the first week of June.