The City of Charlottetown is preparing to begin a full reconstruction of Exhibition Drive, but officials say they are working with local business owners to address concerns about potential disruptions.

The project, expected to cost more than $5 million, will include underground infrastructure upgrades such as stormwater systems, sanitary sewers and water distribution pipes, along with a full roadway rebuild.

Plans also include adding a multi-use pathway that will run between Kensington Road and Riverside Drive.

Coun. Mitchell Tweel, chair of the city’s public works committee, said the work is long overdue, noting that Exhibition Drive is a major east-west corridor connecting a wide range of amenities, venues and key services, and carrying significant traffic, including heavy trucks and industrial vehicles.

“It’s time to put the necessary infrastructure into the ground and to bring it up to national standards,” Tweel said.

“You just can’t keep playing with the situation on a road that has this much traffic, and it’s not on solid footing, and now’s the time to do the reconstruction.”

Tweel said work will take place throughout the summer and likely into early fall, with traffic impacts expected.

“We’re going to have traffic control, one lane primarily. That’s the plan,” Tweel said, adding this way people will still be able to access businesses on the road.

The city held an information session with business owners on April 8 to hear concerns and answer questions.

“We want to mitigate, minimize the disruption as much as possible,” Tweel said. “We’re working and communicating with the business community on Exhibition Drive.”

Businesses worry about customer access

Chris Annema, manager of Phillips Agri Services on Exhibition Drive, attended the session.

He said business owners understand the work is necessary and overdue, but there are concerns it could lead to fewer customers.

“I bet you a customer would have the intention on coming and then may get as far as the Kensington Road entrance on the way down and see the traffic congestion, and then start to think otherwise,” Annema said.

Owners raised a number of concerns during the meeting, he said, and are now waiting for responses from the city.

One of the biggest worries is the possibility of daytime road closures, even for short periods. Annema said businesses along the street provide essential services.

“In that meeting we had talked about if street closures have to be done, for that to be done outside of business hours,” he said.

“I don’t see it to be fair to all the businesses on the road to completely close the road and basically tell us to shut down for the day. I don’t see that being an option.”

Other concerns include how the new multi-use pathway could affect parking lot access, as well as whether planned curbing along Exhibition Drive might limit entry for large vehicles. Annema’s business, an agricultural supply store, depends on wide access points to accommodate tractor-trailers coming in and out daily.

Tweel said city staff have taken note of the concerns and will review suggestions as the project moves forward.

He said the city plans to meet with operators again to respond to feedback and determine whether any adjustments can be made to the construction plans.