Changes coming to one of Charlottetown’s busiest intersections starting next year

The chair of Charlottetown's public works committee says a solution is in the works to improve traffic congestion at one of the city’s busiest intersections — but it will require some patience. 

City councillor Mitchell Tweel regularly hears complaints from residents about the spot where Belvedere Avenue and University Avenue connect. 

“The traffic here at this particular intersection, Belvedere and University Avenue, is unprecedented,” he said. 

"This intersection experiences 25,000 cars a day."

But he said much of that bumper-to-bumper congestion will be resolved with the help of the city’s University Avenue Master Plan. 

The revitalization of University Avenue would reach from Belvedere Avenue to Euston Street. It's set to include new right-turn lanes, a centre median, two new intersections and bike lanes to improve traffic flow along the avenue, which runs through the centre of Charlottetown. 

City officials initially planned to start construction as early as 2024, but they said negotiations with stakeholders were holding things up. 

Tweel said there are still some loose ends to be tied up, but they are making progress. 

“[We’re] still meeting with some of the stakeholders, some of the property owners in terms of land acquisition,” he said.

“University Avenue will undergo a major, major change.”

The project is now expected to begin construction sometime in 2027, and will start with jobs below-ground — like more storm water infrastructure and other water and sewer work.  

Tweel added that the project is looking to be a $20 to $30 million investment, so it’s important for things to be done right on the first try. 

“In order to get it right the first time, we need some of the fibre optic companies and Maritime Electric to come to the table and work with the city of Charlottetown in a very collaborative manner."  

The project will be implemented in a total of six different phases.