Delays end at Confederation Bridge after Thanksgiving exodus, bad weather converge
Sara Fraser | CBC News | Posted: October 10, 2016 7:31 PM | Last Updated: October 10, 2016
Bad weather had traffic waiting to get on the bridge for several hours Monday afternoon leaving P.E.I.
Traffic on the Confederation Bridge is once again moving smoothly after a rocky Thanksgiving afternoon of long delays.
Bridge officials asked travellers to be "please be patient," as drivers trying to leave P.E.I. via the bridge to New Brunswick took to social media to vent their frustration at long lineups.
Some travellers reported sitting in lineups on the highway in Borden-Carleton and beyond for more than two hours, as traffic was at times backed up to the Y intersection in Albany several kilometres from the bridge tolls.
"It has been a long afternoon," admitted bridge general manager Michel LeChasseur, confirming the bridge had only two toll booths open as automatic toll booths experienced mechanical problems.
"When it's at the end of a weekend like that 12 [noon] to 3 [p.m.] is usually the heavy time of traffic," LeChasseur explained.
Now, there's more traffic coming on to P.E.I. than leaving, he added.
"It's the end of the holidays and people are trying to get back home," Cst. Frank Stevenson from the East Prince RCMP told CBC News, pointing out the ferry to Nova Scotia is also closed until further notice, putting more pressure on the bridge.
Restrictions for high-sided vehicles now in place are likely to remain in effect much of Monday night as high winds are expected to continue, even though the heavy rain will likely taper off, LeChasseur said.
LeChasseur admits the bridge could have done a better job communicating the delay. It was several hours after the delay began that bridge officials finally tweeted a heads-up and an explanation.
The bridge website, app and email service will tell travellers that there are restrictions due to weather, but does not outline delays.
Officials will look at more frequent tweeting in the future, LeChasseur said.
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