Rains, melting snow cause extensive road closures on Prince Edward Island
CBC News Posted: Apr 16, 2014 10:49 AM AT Last Updated: Apr 16, 2014 9:16 PM AT
Roads across P.E.I. are being shut down due to flooding caused by heavy rain and rapid snow melt.
At mid-morning Wednesday the province's 511 system was reporting problems in just about every part of the province. See map of road closures below.
Darren Chaisson, director of highway maintenance for the Department of Transportation, said there are problems from one end of the Island to the other.
"We had to barricade a lot of these roads off because you are just not really sure what is under the water on a lot of these roads. You're not sure if the culverts have been compromised or the bridges," he said.
Chaisson says some people are saying this is the worst spring they have experienced in decades.
"We're just reacting right now as soon as we hear anything that's a safety hazard we shut down the road immediately. It just seems to be everywhere," said Chaisson.
"There's some pretty large structures that are overwhelmed and the water is coming out over the road. Twelve to 15-feet [about four metres] arches here, we're not talking a small road culvert."
Chaisson said a lot of water is coming from wooded areas and fields with the snow melt and rain.
Motorists are being asked to use extreme caution. Chaisson said while they are closing roads as soon as they get reports, problems are widespread and could develop anywhere at any time.
It could be Thursday before repairs can get started.
Roads across P.E.I. are being shut down due to flooding caused by heavy rain and rapid snow melt.
At mid-morning Wednesday the province's 511 system was reporting problems in just about every part of the province. See map of road closures below.
Darren Chaisson, director of highway maintenance for the Department of Transportation, said there are problems from one end of the Island to the other.
"We had to barricade a lot of these roads off because you are just not really sure what is under the water on a lot of these roads. You're not sure if the culverts have been compromised or the bridges," he said.
Chaisson says some people are saying this is the worst spring they have experienced in decades.
"We're just reacting right now as soon as we hear anything that's a safety hazard we shut down the road immediately. It just seems to be everywhere," said Chaisson.
"There's some pretty large structures that are overwhelmed and the water is coming out over the road. Twelve to 15-feet [about four metres] arches here, we're not talking a small road culvert."
Chaisson said a lot of water is coming from wooded areas and fields with the snow melt and rain.
Motorists are being asked to use extreme caution. Chaisson said while they are closing roads as soon as they get reports, problems are widespread and could develop anywhere at any time.
It could be Thursday before repairs can get started.
posted by Advackia at 5:56 PM
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