I am writing in regard to the proposed ‘Plan B’ TCH re-routing project in Bonshaw.
I grew up in Bonshaw and have seen the community go through many changes. It is one of the most beautiful areas on the Island. It is a community that has struggled to preserve the natural beauty surrounding it while developing social and community structures and has done an excellent job of both.
In my 32 years I have driven the stretch of highway between New Haven and Bonshaw more times than I can remember and have seen many of the accidents that have happened on that road. In fact I have been in some accidents myself on that road, and have known some of the people who have been killed there in accidents. I can tell you that in my experience, none of those accidents were ever caused by ‘dangerous grades and curves.’ They were caused by carelessness, bad weather, inadequate salting/sanding in winter, and excessive speed.
I strongly believe that the proposed highway realignment is completely unnecessary and would cause a great deal of damage to the Bonshaw community. I believe that things like reducing the speed limit and installing a set of lights would address the ‘dangers’ on that road.
Spending taxpayers’ money on a realignment of the highway is unnecessary and reckless. Farmland and forest will be destroyed, views will be ruined, and the people who have chosen to live in the country because of the peace, quiet, and serenity, will now be face to face with a new highway - one which will no doubt encourage motorists to drive even faster. At the same time there are many secondary roads on PEI that require maintenance and upgrades that, year after year, are neglected.
The government of PEI seems to be going ahead with this project with no public consultation or opinion being taken into account. That, above all else, is completely unacceptable. We live here and these choices will directly affect our backyard.
Monica Lacey,
Charlottetown