Roundabouts put new spin on summer business

Business owners along the TransCanada Highway in the west end of Charlottetownare wondering what the construction of traffic circlesoutside their front doorswill do to their incomes.

Phase one of the Cornwall bypass project includes construction of traffic circles at Maypoint Road in Charlottetown and at Poplar Island, on the North River causeway.

• Roundabout construction could cause traffic delays

• New Charlottetown roundabout, intersection planned

The bartender at one local restaurant predicts she'll be serving fewer customers.

It's probably going to slow down business while they're building it because people will avoid going this way.- Tammy MacSweeb

"People are going to avoid it for sure because it's going to be chaos while they're building it," said Tammy MacSween at Yogi's Food and Bar in Maypoint plaza.

"It's probably going to slow down business while they're building it because people will avoid going this way. It's probably going to back up cars a lot. It's a busy intersection."

The owner of another store in Maypoint plaza, who asked not to be identified, said summer business is important to her income. Trade slows down in winter.Construction is slated to begin after Labour Day.

"If people can't get to my front door, I don't get the sale," said the store owner.

Bike and pedestrian lanes

The $5 million project includes widening of the four-lane highway and the creation of a shared lane along the shoulderpedestrians and cyclists.

The traffic circle on Poplar Island will be located in front of shops popular with tourists.

Some workers look forward to the traffic lights being replaced by aroundabout.

Public meeting

"When they're doing construction, I guess it might slow things down because people won't want to come into this plaza," said Ben Gayler, an employee of one store on Poplar Island.

"But I know the cars get pretty jammed up ... I find this has started to get congested lately. I like the roundabout. I find they make things a lot smoother, just if people know how to use them."

The provincial Department of Transportation says it will host a public meeting later this month to answer questions about the project.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Sperenza day camp suspended due to supervision issues, says child care board

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Kensington searches for history on horse-drawn hearses