Stratford sewage can take bridge to Charlottetown

An engineering study has determined the Hillsborough Bridge, connecting Charlottetown and Stratford, P.E.I., has the weight-bearing capacity for a sewage pipe.

P.E.I. Transportation Minister Paula Biggar delivered the news in the legislature Tuesday.

Stratford has been struggling to keep up with a growing load of sewage, and has been negotiating with Charlottetown to have its sewage treated, but there was an issue with getting the sewage across the river.

"We have determined that the capacity is there to also have the pipe be installed on the bridge," Biggar told the legislature.

"What's happening now is those discussions between the City of Charlottetown and Stratford are ongoing as to how that can best be addressed, but we are very happy to be able to tell the town of Stratford that that is an alternate solution as to how that can address their growing need."

The study looking into load capacity on the bridge took place last August. It was also determined the bridge has the capacity for a walkway.

The province has said it's too early to say when the walkway might be built or how much it might cost.

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