Lane closures coming to Hillsborough Bridge as repairs begin in May

Drivers using the Hillsborough Bridge can expect intermittent lane closures later this spring as the province undertakes repairs to components beneath the bridge deck — but the province says congestion should be manageable.

Darrell Evans, assistant director of capital projects for the Department of Transportation, said the project is currently out for tender.

Bids on the project close April 8, and contractors have been advised to begin work on the span between Charlottetown and Stratford as early as May 1 and complete all work on the deck no later than June 28.

If work on the deck is not completed by that date, any remaining work will be postponed until after the September long weekend due to summer traffic, he said.

“Traffic tends to increase over the summer months. We jump from about 32,000 vehicles a day, close to 40,000 a day. So it gets a little bit dicier up there with tourist traffic,” Evans told CBC News.

While the work is underway, there will be intermittent closures of the outside lanes, but traffic will continue to move in both directions.

Evans said contractors will be required to maintain two inbound lanes toward Charlottetown and one outbound lane during the morning peak. During the afternoon peak, two outbound lanes and one inbound lane will remain open.

He noted that similar traffic management plans have been used in past projects without significant congestion.

“We have managed it before, I think it'll be manageable again.”

He said the province will issue public notices and provide updates through 511 before work begins so travellers can plan ahead.

Evans also urged drivers to be mindful of traffic control staff in the area by slowing down, taking their time and putting their cell phones away.

Evans described the work as “moderate repairs” that focus on structural components located on the piers beneath the bridge deck.

Crews will reinforce the steel tie that connects two large concrete corbels on each pier. These corbels support the widened portion of the bridge, which was done in 1997.

Currently, he said the corbels are tied together by a round steel pipe embedded in the concrete.